Dunston Checks In (1996)

Director:

Ken Kwapis

Writers (WGA):

John Hopkins (story)
John Hopkins (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

12 January 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Adventure | Family

Tagline:

He's about to turn a Five Star Hotel into a three ring circus.

Plot:

Young boy befriends larcenous orangutan in luxury hotel.

Plot Keywords:

Hotel | Son | Orangutan | Monkey | Happy Birthday To You

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Jason Alexander	...	Robert Grant
Faye Dunaway	...	Mrs. Dubrow
Eric Lloyd	...	Kyle Grant
Rupert Everett	...	Lord Rutledge
Graham Sack	...	Brian Grant
Paul Reubens	...	Buck LaFarge
Glenn Shadix	...	Lionel Spalding
Nathan Davis	...	Victor Dubrow
Jennifer Bassey	...	Mrs. Dellacroce
Judith Scott	...	Nancy
Bruce Beatty	...	Murray
Danny Comden	...	Norm
Steven Gilborn	...	Artie
Lois De Banzie	...	Mrs. Winthrop
Natalie Core	...	Mrs. Feldman

MPAA:

Rated PG for some mild language and sensuality.

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

USA:PG (certificate #34106) | Iceland:L | South Korea:All | Netherlands:6 | Netherlands:AL (original rating) | Australia:G | Finland:S | Germany:o.Al. (w) | Portugal:M/6 | Spain:T | UK:PG

Company:

Joe Wizan/Todd Black

Trivia:

The interior New York hotel scenes were filmed in Los Angeles at the old Bullocks Wilshire Building, which is no longer open.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the Royal Suite scene, the shirt under Kyle's overalls changes. Even if one assumed that Kyle "packed an extra shirt" when they brought Dunston to the suite, the shirt change would still be an editing error as the shirt changes twice AFTER Kyle takes a bath.

Quotes:

Mrs. Dubrow: I like psychotic people. They get things done.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Jack Frost (#9.13)" (1997)

Soundtrack:

Have Fun, Go Mad!

Funny

First, let me say what this is not. This is not a movie with high artistic quality. Even when one reminds oneself of the fact that it is meant as a simple comedy, probably a family comedy, it still has a plot with too many coincidences (so many that they become predictable - now the monkey is here, she will not be looking, but when it's gone, and the man comes in, she will) and flat, caricatural characters. But it also is not supposed to be a high-quality movie. It's supposed to be funny.

And funny it is. The movie is full of funny ideas, all worked out in a good, classy manner. Even the basest of jokes are done in good style. Just relax - and laugh. And you'll keep laughing through most of the movie. The monkey (that's a negative point - technically an urang utan is an ape, not a monkey) is well in its place as a comedy actor, and as said - the ideas are good, the working-out is even better.

Not 'the best movie you'll ever see', not even close. Not a 'must-see movie'. But a very pleasant way to spend 90 minutes. And enjoyable for both adults and children, that's worth something too.