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:

He's Big, He's Blue, He's Smoochy... and He's got to DIE!

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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. [United States]

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 Marion Stokes is standing in front of the Kidnet board after the Rainbow Randolph scandal breaks, the overheard and side-view shots show him standing in the middle of the spiral Kidnet logo. However, frontal shots show him obviously standing in front of it.

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Quotes

Cop: Are you ok?
Randolph: I don't know. I'm kinda fucked up in general, so it's hard to gauge.
[He faints]

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Connections

References Sesame Street (1969)

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Soundtracks

"Rainbow Randolph Theme Song"
Lyrics by Adam Resnick
Performed by Robin Williams

User Reviews

A great comedy flawed only by too-dramatic character arcs.

I would be wrong if I said that Danny DeVito's films were made with full intent to capture the realisms of life, and it is because of his ability to portray an eccentric world (or relationship) that he is able to made the most original and entertaining characters known to film.

For example, although he didn't create the character Matilda, he was able to portray the girl with telekinetic ability in a very effective manner in the film of the same name. And also the characters in 'War of the Roses' were thoroughly over-the-top, but it was because of this that the films directed by the short man were so entertaining.

'Death to Smoochy' was no exception. It is because of the over-the-top characters that it is so funny. Edward Norton's character in particular is hilarious just because of the OTT reactions the 'atrocities' of the world draw out of him, and the overly-nice attitude he oozes.

There are other things that create humour. The lines are hilariously witty and even the facial expressions created by some of the characters give the film replay value. So IS there anything wrong with it?

I, personally, don't believe the dated storyline creates an obstruction, but I do feel that there is a problem with the dramatic character arcs. The biggest example of this is Robin Williams' character who goes, in one scene, from being ridiculously hateful, to wanting nothing more than to save his ex-arch-rival. This is where the over-the-top obstructs believability, although it doesn't do enough to make me dislike the film even partially.

The film, although flawed only by the very dramatic character arcs, is thoroughly enjoyable, and DeVito sprinkles just enough dramatic camera angles to support the extremity of the storyline. It is a rare gem, battered at the box office, but very safe in my collection of favourite DVDs.

Enjoy.

-Stoate.