Arnold
CibbuanoDeath to Smoochy
November 8th 2006 09:42
Death to Smoochy (2002)
I watched this movie with little expectation other than that I knew Robin Williams was in it and would be playing a comically villainous role. As I watched it it became clear to me that this was satire, a genre I don't usually like. 'Death to Smoochy' pulls it off though, and shows how a satire should be done. It's very funny, blackly so, and treads all over children’s television. I loved it.
I was surprised to learn that Danny DeVito was the director, because the direction was pretty darn good. Who knew the little guy had it in him? This is a dark comedy with more than a few tricks up it's sleeves, I was pleasantly surprised more than a few times. I can't for the life of me understand why this film was denied a cinematic release in Australia - not only did it have star pulling power, but it's also very good!
My only beef with the film as a whole is that the ending seems a little rushed. Also, is it just me or was the 'die smoochy' painted on Williams' teeth absent from the film? I'd read about this part of the movie and seen photos of it, but I couldn’t find it anywhere in the movie, or even in the deleted scenes. Odd.
HIGHLIGHTS: Williams is, as expected, great. He seems to be doing a pretty spot-on De Niro impression for the first ten or fifteen minutes of the film. One of the film's characters, Spinner (a permanently punch-drunk ex-boxer in the vein of Milo Kerrigan) is a complete crack-up.
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I have enjoyed most of De Vito's Directorial efforts (Throw Momma From the Train, Hoffa, War Of The Roses, Matilda) and he handles the fine line between satire and farce well.
You can tell Ed Norton is having fun with the role and Robin Williams gives a balanced performance, using his schtick well.
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
What's Hoffa like?
I hated Drowning Mona though. Hopefully that one was just a misfire.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
The film feels authentic and rings true, its well shot with a well researched script.