Apr 10 2009
B+ Movie Review: Death to Smoochy
It’s likely you ‘ve heard the phrase “But what I really want to do is direct”. I don’t know where the cliche started, but there’s always a little fear in my heart when I see a movie directed by a former actor. Some do very well (like Ron Howard). Many produce self indulgent movies of little value except as fodder for MST3K parties (like say, Kevin Costner, save for the notable exception of Dances with Wolves). The best way I can still my concerns is to remember some actor/directors take their work in ways that border on twisted genius.
Danny DeVito falls into that third category. I offer as proof the 2002 dark comedy Death to Smoochy.
Death to Smoochy is set in the behind-the-scenes world of children’s television, the sort that involves big foam suits and cutsie songs about how to feel good about yourself. We meet Rainbow Randall (played by the brilliant madman Robin Williams) who on screen is a bright and happy source of joy, but after the costume comes off turns out to be a hard boozing, corrupt jerk. He gets fired from his show for taking bribes to get kids in the audience more on screen time and the network, full of people just as corrupt and more concerned with selling merchandise than producing a good show, now have to find a replacement. They take on a seemingly simple do gooder (played by Edward Norton) who sings to recovering addicts at a methadone clinic and turn him into their next star and fiscal mascot, Smoochy the Rhino. But when Smoochy turns out to be a true believer and resistant to the pressures the network is putting on him, things turn ugly and soon the mafia is involved and someone’s got to die.
Wow.
There is so much to like in this movie. Norton and Williams are brilliant in their parts. For that matter so are Catherine Keener (who plays the dead hearted producer of Smoochy’s show), Danny Devito (a two faced advocate for Smoochy), Harvey Fierstein (mobster) and Jon Stewart (who is quick to point his out as one of his only movie roles). In fact, everyone who is on the screen plays their part to an absurd level of competancy, skill and talent.
The movie does well with always keeping your suspension of disbelief on the edge but by always threatening to go from the bizarre to silly, it makes the strange situation all the characters are in more real. There are a couple of places where you expect the actors to crack up and look at the camera to say “Do you believe I’m saying this?” but those pass quickly and soon you’re back into a macbre yet hillarious ride.
Death to Smoochy could have easily been a throw away gag movie, like any of the gross comedies or lesser Adam Sandler movies of the past decade. Instead, it turns into a twisted, pleasantly enjoyable experience. Death to Smoochy is very much a B+ movie and recommend it to almost anyone with a sense of humor.
Rent it. Jon Stewart could always use the extra royalties.
Oh man, love it - now I wish I had sat down and watched this when it was on - I don’t think I’ve seen more than 5 min of it at a time.
On the must see short list now, Thanks!