X
  • 2000
  • R
  • Lionsgate Films
  • 1 h 30 m
  • 2000
  • R
  • Lionsgate Films
  • 1 h 30 m

Summary Two veteran industrial lubricant salesmen (Danny DeVito and Kevin Spacey) attempt to break-in their enthusiastic young colleague (Peter Pacinelli) while sharing old stories in a hospitality suite at an annual manufacturer's convention in Wichita. All the while they hope they can persuade Dick Fuler, the "Big Kahuna," to place the mother...

Directed By: John Swanbeck

Written By: Roger Rueff

  • 2000
  • R
  • Lionsgate Films
  • 1 h 30 m
  • 2000
  • R
  • Lionsgate Films
  • 1 h 30 m

The Big Kahuna

Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 27 Critic Reviews
56
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 14 User Ratings
7.0
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary Two veteran industrial lubricant salesmen (Danny DeVito and Kevin Spacey) attempt to break-in their enthusiastic young colleague (Peter Pacinelli) while sharing old stories in a hospitality suite at an annual manufacturer's convention in Wichita. All the while they hope they can persuade Dick Fuler, the "Big Kahuna," to place the mother...

Directed By: John Swanbeck

Written By: Roger Rueff

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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View All Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 27 Critic Reviews
56
52% Positive
14 Reviews
41% Mixed
11 Reviews
7% Negative
2 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 27 Critic Reviews
56
52% Positive
14 Reviews
41% Mixed
11 Reviews
7% Negative
2 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
90
A drama of extraordinary power and insight with dazzling performances from not only Spacey but also Danny DeVito (who may well be at his best ever) and from newcomer Peter Facinelli.
By Kevin Thomas FULL REVIEW
75
The dialogue is loaded with depth charges that take a while to explode beneath the surface.
By Bob Graham FULL REVIEW
63
A flawed labor of love that's definitely worth a look.
By Lou Lumenick FULL REVIEW
63
The dialogue often sounds like arch Mamet, and John Swanbeck's direction is as spare as the hotel-room decor.
By Jack Mathews FULL REVIEW
58
That The Big Kahuna is hardly more than a sketch or curtain-raiser is not the fault of the play in itself -- it's short-film size, not feature-worthy.
By Lisa Schwarzbaum FULL REVIEW
50
DeVito's low-key midlife crisis is consistently moving, but Spacey, saddled with the role of provocateur, is demonically boring.
By Lisa Alspector FULL REVIEW
30
Feels more like Barry Levinson's "Tin Men" on Prozac.
By Marc Savlov FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 14 User Ratings
7.0
57% Positive
8 Ratings
36% Mixed
5 Ratings
7% Negative
1 Rating

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 14 User Ratings
7.0
57% Positive
8 Ratings
36% Mixed
5 Ratings
7% Negative
1 Rating

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

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Production Company Franchise Pictures, Trigger Street Productions
Release Date Apr 28, 2000
Duration 1 h 30 m
Rating R
Genres
Tagline Every sale begins with a smile.
View All Details

Awards

Humanitas Prize
• 1 Nomination

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