The Big Kahuna (1999)

Two veteran salesmen dissect a sales pitch to a particular client, through their young protégé.

Director:

John Swanbeck

Writers:

Roger Rueff (play), Roger Rueff (screenplay)

Stars:

Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito, Peter Facinelli

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Kevin Spacey	...	Larry Mann
Danny DeVito	...	Phil Cooper (as Danny Devito)
Peter Facinelli	...	Bob Walker
Paul Dawson	...	Bellboy

Storyline

On the last evening of a convention two seen-it-all industrial lubricant salesmen and a youngster from the research department gather in the hotel's hospitality suite to host a delegates party. The main aim is to get the business of one particular big fish. When it becomes apparent that it is the lad who has developed a direct line to the guy, his strong religious beliefs bring him into sharp conflict with his older and more cynical colleagues.

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Plot Keywords:

hotel | convention | salesman | hotel room | based on play | 

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Taglines:

Every sale begins with a smile.

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Genres:

Drama | Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 May 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hospitality Suite

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$80,957, 30 April 2000, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$3,150,107, 23 July 2000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Franchise Pictures,Trigger Street Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kevin Spacey's character, Larry Mann is a salesman that talks about manipulating clients throughout the movie. At about the 34 minute mark he wears the hat featured in the movie's poster and is apparently pitching to a group of clients. The pitch is inaudible since there's music playing, a trumpet-orchestra version of Henry Mancini's theme for Charade (1963) which starred Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, a movie that revolved around lies, deception and deceit.

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Goofs

When Bob leaves the room to find the Kahuna at the other party, he has his name tag on, when he is outside walking there, it is off. It reappears when he is at the party, speaking to the Kahuna.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Phil Cooper: [voice-over] No answer.
Bob Walker: [voice-over] She must be out shopping.
Phil Cooper: [voice-over] God forbid.

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Connections

Featured in Honest Trailers: Fight Club (2014)

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Soundtracks

Everybody's Free (to Wear Sunscreen) Mix
By Baz Luhrmann
Written by Tim Cox, Nigel Swanston
Published by Peer Music Ltd. (BMI)
Performed by Quindon Tarver
Licensed courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp.
"Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young"
Written by Mary Schmich
Spoken by Lee Perry
Licensed courtesy of the Chicago Tribune
Mix conceived and directed by Blam (Baz Luhrmann, Anton Monsted)
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under license from EMI-Capitol Special Markets

User Reviews

Remarkable acting, excellent character development.

An extremely well done, contained movie. Unlike so much of the standard over the top excesses of much of current Hollywood movies this movie depends on the depth of the characters, particularly Danny De Vito. Rarely have I ever seen an actor change on screen from the inside out like De Vito does. Kevin Spacey gives his normal excellent work, and Peter Facinelli is quite good as an easily recognizable "true believer". But, this movie belongs to Danny De Vito who gives the best performance of his career. Moving exploration of men struggling with meaninglessness.