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A dynamic star turn by Kevin Spacey enlivens The Big Kahuna, a modest, character-driven drama that makes incisive comments on the take-no-prisoners mentality that dominates much of American business today. Roger Rueff's script, adapted from his own play, focuses on three sales representatives who've opened a hospitality suite at the hotel playing host to a convention of manufacturers. Mercurial, fast-talking Larry Mann (Spacey) and melancholy, disillusioned Phil Cooper (Danny DeVito) are desperate to land a big account, but inexperienced newcomer Rob Walker (Peter Facinelli) is the only one who's actually met the executive they need to sign, and he'd rather talk religion than business. As directed by theatrical veteran John Swanback, The Big Kahuna echoes such classic dramas as Glengarry Glen Ross and Death of a Salesman, stripping from its characters the veneer of careerist hucksterism to peer at the wounded, vulnerable souls beneath. Devoid of mechanical plot contrivances, it's a quietly powerful film that will haunt viewers long after the end credits have rolled. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

Three salesmen working for a firm that makes industrial lubricants are waiting in the company's "hospitality suite" at a manufacturers' convention for a "big kahuna" named Dick Fuller to show up, in hopes they can persuade him to place an order that could salvage the company's flagging sales. Phil (Danny DeVito) is in his mid-50s; he's devoted his life to his job but emotionally has little to show for it. He's learned to live with the loneliness of a salesman's life, but is smarting over the recent collapse of his marriage and is trying to quit drinking. Bob (Peter Facinelli) is a quiet but observant newcomer in his 20s, recently married and adjusting to his first business trip. And Larry (Kevin Spacey) is a bundle of energy who likes to drink, smoke, and start arguments; he's openly confrontational with Phil and Bob and quick to pick up on their foibles and failings. Phil and Larry become more impatient and bitter as the evening wears on, especially when they learn that "the big kahuna" already dropped by the suite; wearing someone else's name tag, he had a few drinks, talked with Bob about the recent death of his dog and Christianity, and never mentioned placing an order. Screenwriter Roger Rueff based the script on his play Hospitality Suite; Kevin Spacey was a co-producer as well as starring as Larry. Mark Deming

Product Details

• UPC: 031398833529
• Source: LIONS GATE
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Alternate Wide Screen (1.78:1)
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, Español
• Time: 1:30:00
• Sales Rank: 21,536

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