Death to Smoochy (2002)

Kids show host Rainbow Randolph is fired in disgrace while his replacement, Sheldon Mopes, aka Smoochy the Rhino, finds himself a rising star. Unfortunately for Sheldon, the kid's TV business isn't all child's play.

Director:

Danny DeVito

Writer:

Adam Resnick

Stars:

Robin Williams, Edward Norton, Catherine Keener

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robin Williams	...	Rainbow Randolph
Edward Norton	...	Sheldon Mopes / Smoochy the Rhino
Catherine Keener	...	Nora Wells
Danny DeVito	...	Burke Bennett
Jon Stewart	...	Marion Frank Stokes
Pam Ferris	...	Tommy Cotter
Danny Woodburn	...	Angelo Pike
Michael Rispoli	...	Spinner Dunn
Harvey Fierstein	...	Merv Green
Vincent Schiavelli	...	Buggy Ding Dong
Craig Eldridge	...	Husband
Judy White	...	Wife
Tim MacMenamin	...	Danny
Bruce McFee	...	Roy
Glen Cross	...	Jimmy

Storyline

Fired in disgrace, kids show host Randolph Smiley finds himself out on the street, while his replacement Sheldon Mopes, finds himself on the fast track to success with a new hit show as the proud purple rhino Smoochy. But things take a turn for the worst when Sheldon finds out that some of the people that he works with, and some he doesn't know he's working for, are all in it for the money. Meanwhile, Randolph is slowly turning insane with his only thoughts focusing on killing Smoochy and getting back to his life of luxury.

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Plot Keywords:

children | television | revenge | scandal | money | 

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Taglines:

It's the Rhino vs. the Wino... with a little help from the mob

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and sexual references

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros. [us]

Country:

USA UK Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 March 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Smoochy

Filming Locations:

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$55,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$4,266,463 (USA) (29 March 2002)

Gross:

$8,355,815 (USA) (3 May 2002)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros, FilmFour, Senator Film Produktion

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The ice skating stunts at the end of the movie were choreographed and skated by Canadian skater Elvis Stojko.

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Goofs

When Sheldon is given a plant as a gift, it's on his desk at first but moves to his windowsill between shots.

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Quotes

Randolph: Didn't she tell you of the love we once had. Passionate yet tender, old-fashioned yet experimental.
Sheldon: Randolph, you have lost your mind.
Randolph: Oh, enlighten the lad, Nora. You were such a hot little brood mare, does the bridle still fit?
Sheldon: Hey, watch your mouth mister!
Nora: What experiments? I've had firmer handshakes, ya drunk.
Randolph: Please, it's small but, it's fierce!

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Connections

References Raging Bull (1980)

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Soundtracks

"La Receta"
Written by Raul Ramos
Performed by Johnny Polanco and Conjunto Amistad
Courtesy of Tonga Productions

User Reviews

An Original Adult Comedy

Death to Smoochy pushes the envelope of comedy, only to fail because it couldn't find the right audience. This comedy is amazing for its intensity and biting scenes that run side by side with comedy, there are dark scenes, harder dramatic elements not usually seen in regular comedies. Yet, this fun, entertaining, and cerebral comedy has great elements of timing, acting, and directing. Not for children, but the nature of plot (doesn't automatically capture any other audience), this sleeper comedy is a must see, because it breaks out of the mold of funny comedies into a more sophisticated, grown up form of laughter and comedical relief.