Pleasant enough Goldie Hawn vehicle (which the star also executive produced) is seen as a politically-oriented variation on her best known film, "Private Benjamin". Goldie plays Sunny Davis, a cheerful, if not terribly savvy, nightclub waitress who manages to prevent an assassination one night. A grateful U.S. of A. rewards her with a meaningless job, although soon it is revealed that her new employers have an agenda. They aim to use her to mollify a Middle Eastern ruler (Richard Romanus), because they want to build a military base in his country.
So-so material has its moments, but overall it's a rather mild satire. It's never as funny as one might like, and even gets corny by the end when the filmmakers go for a rather Capra-esque resolution. The biggest set piece is a lively party thrown at Sunny's old workplace in order to show Romanus a good time.
Still, Goldie is extremely appealing as always. Her bright personality helps to smooth over any flaws in the plot. She's assisted by an excellent supporting cast, just FULL of familiar faces. The handsome Chris Sarandon of "Fright Night" and "Child's Play" fame is her love interest, a specialist in Middle Eastern affairs. Gail Strickland, Cliff De Young, Keith Szarabajka, and Ed Begley Jr. play various shady Washington types. Andre Gregory is amusing in the role of Romanus' chief adviser. Keep your eyes peeled for Amanda Bearse ('Married...with Children') on a TV monitor; John Ratzenberger ('Cheers') has an uncredited cameo as a security guard being interviewed.
Scripted by writer / actor Buck Henry, based on a story by Charles Shyer, Nancy Meyers, and Harvey Miller. Shyer, Meyers, and Miller had previously written "Private Benjamin", so the studio was probably hoping that lightning would strike twice.
"Protocol" isn't a prime Goldie vehicle, but if you're a fan, you'll still want to see it. Six out of 10.
So-so material has its moments, but overall it's a rather mild satire. It's never as funny as one might like, and even gets corny by the end when the filmmakers go for a rather Capra-esque resolution. The biggest set piece is a lively party thrown at Sunny's old workplace in order to show Romanus a good time.
Still, Goldie is extremely appealing as always. Her bright personality helps to smooth over any flaws in the plot. She's assisted by an excellent supporting cast, just FULL of familiar faces. The handsome Chris Sarandon of "Fright Night" and "Child's Play" fame is her love interest, a specialist in Middle Eastern affairs. Gail Strickland, Cliff De Young, Keith Szarabajka, and Ed Begley Jr. play various shady Washington types. Andre Gregory is amusing in the role of Romanus' chief adviser. Keep your eyes peeled for Amanda Bearse ('Married...with Children') on a TV monitor; John Ratzenberger ('Cheers') has an uncredited cameo as a security guard being interviewed.
Scripted by writer / actor Buck Henry, based on a story by Charles Shyer, Nancy Meyers, and Harvey Miller. Shyer, Meyers, and Miller had previously written "Private Benjamin", so the studio was probably hoping that lightning would strike twice.
"Protocol" isn't a prime Goldie vehicle, but if you're a fan, you'll still want to see it. Six out of 10.