Sometimes
all the talent in the world can't make for a good movie. Case in point, Danny
DeVito's meandering kiddy show satire, Death to Smoochy. In this dark, mean spirited
comedy, Robin Williams plays wildly popular children's show host Rainbow Randolph,
a colorful character who looses his job after a nasty little scandal. Anxious
to move on, the network responsible for Rainbow Randolph dig up an up and coming
potential known as Smoochy the rhino (played by Edward Norton). Smoochy (aka Sheldon
Mopes) really lives for entertaining and teaching the children of the world, and
is a bit stunned when he discovers that the suits are more interested in money.
As the story unfolds, Mopes meets an odd assortment of characters, and is constantly
stalked by a vengeful Rainbow Randolph.
Robin
Williams has flashes of humor but is more annoying than anything else. Most of
his comical bits are done in various accents and the whole act becomes quite tiresome.
Edward Norton gives more depth to Mopes than the character actually deserves.
He's likable and his persona is both quirky and sincere. There are some strong
bit parts as well but I still have a hard time getting into co-star Catherine
Keener who appears as a cold TV. executive who's sudden attraction to Mopes is
both out of place and completely unbelievable.
Death
to Smoochy was directed by Danny DeVito and while the movie does offer some funny
moments, there are very few to speak of. He does have a great eye and much of
this film is colorful, but it's intentional over the top execution hurt it in
the long run. Death to Smoochy seems to have very little focus, introducing us
to a plethora of seemingly unnecessary subplots.
Adam
Resnick's screenplay tries for satire but rarely works. Many of the jokes here
are stale, and some lines are just way too off color, including a doozy about
Richard Pryor. While there is an interesting premise in Death to Smoochy, it's
buried somewhere deep within this tedious slice of excess.
There
is no doubt that DeVito is a major talent. I thought Throw Momma From the Train
was immensely entertaining and Hoffa was even better. And if you want to see the
funny man turned director at his ever loving mean spirited best, check out his
best film, the spectacularly cruel War of the Roses. That movie was darker than
hell, but hilarious. Death to Smoochy is dark, but rarely funny. It's a mess of
a movie, that ultimately wastes a heap load of major talent.
