The Big Kahuna (1999)

74% of critics liked it
(76 reviews)
65% of users liked it
(7,576 ratings)

Three salesmen working for a firm that makes industrial lubricants are waiting in the company's "hospitality suite" at a manufacturers' convention for a "big kahuna" named Dick Fuller to show up, in hopes they can persuade him to place an order that could salvage the company's flagging sales. Phil… More Three salesmen working for a firm that makes industrial lubricants are waiting in the company's "hospitality suite" at a manufacturers' convention for a "big kahuna" named Dick Fuller to show up, in hopes they can persuade him to place an order that could salvage the company's flagging sales. Phil (Danny DeVito) is in his mid-50s; he's devoted his life to his job but emotionally has little to show for it. He's learned to live with the loneliness of a salesman's life, but is smarting over the recent collapse of his marriage and is trying to quit drinking. Bob (Peter Facinelli) is a quiet but observant newcomer in his 20s, recently married and adjusting to his first business trip. And Larry (Kevin Spacey) is a bundle of energy who likes to drink, smoke, and start arguments; he's openly confrontational with Phil and Bob and quick to pick up on their foibles and failings. Phil and Larry become more impatient and bitter as the evening wears on, especially when they learn that "the big kahuna" already dropped by the suite; wearing someone else's name tag, he had a few drinks, talked with Bob about the recent death of his dog and Christianity, and never mentioned placing an order. Screenwriter Roger Rueff based the script on his play Hospitality Suite; Kevin Spacey was a co-producer as well as starring as Larry. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: John Swanbeck
Written By: Roger Rueff
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 28, 2000 Wide
On DVD: Aug 29, 2000
Studio: Lions Gate Films

Critic Reviews

Ernest Hardy, Film.com
It's smart, funny and insightful and it's quite easy to see what attracted the stars to it.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Sharp-edged, perfectly timed, funny and thoughtful.
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
The Big Kahuna is hardly more than a sketch or curtain-raiser.
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Giving actors a chance to act seems to be the point...
Jeffrey Overstreet, Looking Closer
At our best, we admit our faults. And we admit that others, no matter how different, have something to teach us. What a surprising thing to learn from a film.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...worth watching just for the performances...
Brent Simon, Entertainment Today
You get the feeling that The Big Kahuna would be great in-the-round theater, its ambiguous machinations benefiting from feeding off of a live audience. As filmed, however, it's just three characters waiting for a story.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Film C

I dont get it! Like its a good movie if you base it on Spaceys an Devitos acting and the fact it is wel written in the comedy part wth a few really good laugh out loud moments and the story is ok i understand there after a big sale but i dont understand why a guy whose really… More
I dont get it! Like its a good movie if you base it on Spaceys an Devitos acting and the fact it is wel written in the comedy part wth a few really good laugh out loud moments and the story is ok i understand there after a big sale but i dont understand why a guy whose really religious would ignore his job and talk about religion ? it just started to irritate me, i mean yes the story is good but i just dont see the point in the religious freak who thinks its more important to speak and spread thje word of god rather than try and get this sale by talking about lubricant which is his job! i just dont get it ! Apart from that its a funny movie but nothing more!
Tsubaki S

Well written and acted dialogue-driven film, something rare these days, about the dog-eats-dog world of big company business. It does get preachy towards the end, and way too religious, but it's still an enjoyable ride. With the 3 leads very spot on in their roles.
Michael G

Pretty disappointing. Film versions of plays are either incredible or a total dud. This wasn't one of the incredible ones.
Dannielle A

I absolutely adore thinking movies. This movie was very dialouge driven, chock-full of memorable quotes. It's is an intriguing, philosophical movie about character, understanding the self, and faith.
Deb S

The Big Kahuna is the story of three industrial lubricant sales guys in a Wichita hotel room expecting an important client. The irony and sarcasm oozing in the dialogue between Spacey and the other two is what makes this film worth watching. Spacey, as usual, is excellent and the… More
The Big Kahuna is the story of three industrial lubricant sales guys in a Wichita hotel room expecting an important client. The irony and sarcasm oozing in the dialogue between Spacey and the other two is what makes this film worth watching. Spacey, as usual, is excellent and the final scene with him is his best, where the bluntness of his character is finally terminated, and he shows deep feeling while DeVito is the middle aged man trying to recover from the shreds of a mid-life crisis and beginning to understand what's really important in life. Facinelli holds his own as the young believer on fire for God. As it is so often the case in real life, there is no real conclusion.
Mike T

Spacey and DeVito deliver calculated, engaging performances, and Peter Facinelli is convincing as well. This film deserves credit for the caliber of acting, and for the quality of the Mamet-esque writing. It veers into surprising territory towards the ending, with copious amounts of… More
Spacey and DeVito deliver calculated, engaging performances, and Peter Facinelli is convincing as well. This film deserves credit for the caliber of acting, and for the quality of the Mamet-esque writing. It veers into surprising territory towards the ending, with copious amounts of religious discussion and questioning. It takes a little while to warm up to, but it's an insightful and intelligent film worth seeing.
Mike

Really dated, low budget, but Kevin Spacey and Danny DeVito make it interesting.