Main Cast: Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito, Peter Facinelli
Release Year: 1999
Country: US
Run Time: 90 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
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, All Movie Guide
Review
John Swanbeck's film adaptation of Roger Rueff's play Hospitality Suite is a thoughtful, sharply written, and entertaining, if less than original, take on the conflicts of commerce and religion as played out by a trio of industrial lubricant salesmen. Intent on capturing a figure they've dubbed "The Big Kahuna" as a client, the cynical Larry (Kevin Spacey) and the battered, desperate Phil (Danny DeVito) try to impress the importance of their mission on innocent new guy Bob (Peter Facinelli), while schooling him in some of the less savory aspects of their trade. The script, which has overtones of Waiting for Godot, The Iceman Cometh, and Death of a Salesman, carries far less weight than those classics, and could probably best be described as Mamet "lite." Yet, as the humorous interplay of Spacey's dialogue with DeVito reveals the emptiness of their lives, the juxtaposition of each of them with the deeply religious Bob yields even greater moments of comic epiphany. As befits its stage origins, the film is mostly confined to one location, a hotel room, which only intensifies the drama. Spacey gives a sly, diabolical performance in a role he wears like a cashmere coat, and DeVito is wonderful as his hangdog foil. While not quite playing in this league, Peter Facinelli is able to hold his own in the pivotal role of Bob. ~ Michael Costello, All Movie Guide
Frank White III - Art Director, Bernie Morris - Associate Producer, Joanne Horowitz - Co-producer, Katherine Jane Bryant - Costume Designer, Amanda Slater - First Assistant Director, John Swanbeck - Director, Peggy Davis - Editor, Gerard Guez - Executive Producer, Christopher Young - Composer (Music Score), Kalina Ivanov - Production Designer, Anastas Michos - Cinematographer, Kevin Spacey - Producer, Andrew Stevens - Producer, Elie Samaha - Producer, Suzie Goudler - Set Designer, Jeff Pullman - Sound/Sound Designer, Roger Rueff - Screenwriter, Terry Wilson - Music Editor, Roger Rueff - Play Author
The original soundtrack to The Big Kahuna features a lounge music-inspired score composed by Christopher Young, as well as songs by Royal Crown Review and Terry Snyder & The All-Stars, all of which provide a witty counterpoint to the film's tale of three salesmen under pressure to make a big sale. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide
Frank Marocco (Accordion), Si Zentner (Performer), Sid Page (Violin), Royal Crown Revue (Performer), George Doering (Guitar), Chuck Domanico (Bass), Alan Estes (Percussion), David Low (Cello), David Low (Contractor), Rene Mandel (Violin), Richard Ruttenberg (Keyboards), Steve Schaffer (Percussion), Terry Snyder (Performer), Ron Strauss (Viola), Robert Townson (Producer), Christopher Young (Orchestration), Gary Nesteruk (Keyboards), Terry Wilson (Music Editor), Sandy DeCrescent (Music Contractor), Dave Reynolds (Conductor), Dave Reynolds (Leader), Pete Anthony (Orchestration), Anita Camarata (Producer), Anita Camarata (Music Supervisor), Jon Kull (Orchestration), Kaylin Frank (Producer), Kaylin Frank (Music Supervisor), Konstantino Christides (Producer), Konstantino Christides (Scoring Coordinator), Tanya Noel Hill (Music Editor), Karl Vincent Wickliff (Bass), Jasper Randall (Scoring Coordinator), Paul Cohen (Cello)
The Big Kahuna is a 1999movie adapted from a play entitled Hospitality Suite, written by Roger Rueff, who also wrote the screenplay. John Swanbeck, the director, makes few attempts to lessen this film's resemblance to a stage performance: the majority of the movie takes place in a single hotel room, and nearly every single line of dialogue is spoken by one of the three actors.
Kevin Spacey plays Larry Mann, a relentlessly foul-mouthed cynic; Danny DeVito plays Phil Cooper, a world-weary average Joe; and Peter Facinelli is Bob Walker, a devout and earnest young Baptist. The three are in the industrial lubricant industry; Larry and Phil are marketing representatives and Bob is part of research and development. The three are attending a trade show where they expect to land a very important account, a rich businessman Larry refers to as The Big Kahuna. As the night progresses, Larry unleashes a torrent of scathingly funny witticisms, most directed at Bob, but finds himself relying on the newest member of the trio when their quarry invites Bob (and only Bob) to an exclusive party.
While Phil and Larry wait for Bob to bring them the news that could end their careers, they muse over the meaning of life. Bob finally returns and offers a bombshell: rather than try to sell their product, he has instead chosen to talk to the man with deep pockets about religion. Bob is unable to muster any reply at all when Phil quietly explains how he sees no difference at all between Bob's preaching and Larry's fast-talking.
Quotations
Larry Mann: "Well, I'll be a son of a bitch! I don't smoke, you don't drink, and Bob here wouldn't even think about lusting after another woman! Between the three of us, we're practically Jesus!"
Bob Walker: "Throw me in the water and see if I can swim." Larry Mann: "I think you're missing the point here, Bob. We're about to throw you off a cliff and see if you can fly."
Phil Cooper: "It doesn't matter whether you're selling Jesus or Buddha or civil rights or 'How to Make Money in Real Estate With No Money Down'. That doesn't make you a human being; it makes you a marketing rep. If you want to talk to somebody honestly, as a human being, ask him about his kids. Find out what his dreams are – just to find out, for no other reason. Because as soon as you lay your hands on a conversation to steer it, it's not a conversation anymore; it's a pitch. And you're not a human being; you're a marketing rep."
Larry Mann: "Phil... man, we're in Wichita, Kansas. What does it matter whether we're on the first floor or the 500th floor? It all looks the same!"
Other
The famous 1997 essay Wear Sunscreen is featured at the end of the movie.
