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Summary: 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.
Looking at the ratings on IMDB and because of the fact I bought this DVD for 1 Euro, I assumed this wouldn't be a very good film. What made me buy it was the fact that Kevin Spacey and Danny Devito starred in it. i expected some sort of a hilarious comedy but this film is much much more than that. It's genuinely funny because of the witty conversations but it's also very profound. This movie has some great lessons in it. Very intelligent. And amazing acting performances from all 3 actors!
Good but a bit low-key, and does feel very much like a half-adapted play. However, it's a good play, and the three leads are definitely worth watching.
Low-key film can't break free from its stage roots, and suffers from pretentious writing, especially in the slow and somber second half. The performers are the whole show here; Spacey plays a variation on his usual entertaing, acerbic persona, but DeVito turns in the performance of his career, striking notes I've never heard from him before as an older man with a crisis of faith. Facinelli is adequate, but stuck with the dullest character. Not a success, but worth seeking out for DeVito fans.
It can't quite escape being film school-y, and doesn't transcend its source material (it's just a play, filmed), but Spacey is good, and Danny DeVito's final monologue is great.
An interesting character study with a contemplative, conflicting atmosphere. The screenplay itself is enough to get it on its feet, but Kevin Spacey and Danny DeVito keep it there wonderfully.
Based on the play 'Hospitality Suite', the dialogue of 'The Big Kahua' *sounds* like stage material. Which is why, I think, not many people can enjoy it as it is, on film. It's probably a much better play than the film would suggest- BUT, still perfectly amazing to watch. Spacey! DeVito! Even Facinelli! The chemistry between the three is electric, and bubbling with so much enthusiasm, you feel like they shouldn't be let out of the room-- and they aren't.
I made the adjustment pretty fast to understanding nothing was going to happen and this is obviously from a play. Maybe it's my affection for Danny, or the fact that this tries to address some larger issues in communication that makes me like this movie. Certainly it is difficult at times & is perfectly as ease in making the audience uncomfortable, i suppose i enjoy the challenge.
It's the performances by the three leads that brings this knowing and insightful film to life, with Kevin Spacey delivering yet another incredible performance.