We stumbled blindly onto Death to Smoochy last night on one of the HBOs, having no idea what it was about. Though bitterly caustic in its depiction of the children's show racket, Danny DeVito's black comedy reveals a core of optimistic idealism under the vile doings, and instead of the naif being corrupted by the business, the business is changed by the naif.
Edward Norton is totally believable as a crunchy children's performer (Smoochy the Rhino of the title), who is brought in to fill the slot left when Robin Williams' outrageously vulgar, venal (but somehow never over-the-top) Rainbow Randolph is nabbed by the feds for corruption. The central joke of the film is that the entire structure of children's entertainment is rotting from within, despoiled by the underworld, with everyone and their cousin in on the take.
Not corrupt, but utterly jaded and drained of any semblance of idealism is "KidNet" exec Catherine Keener, who brings with her the lean, cold appeal that so benefitted Being John Malkovich. She is slowly won over by Norton's uncorruptibility amidst a gang war, Randolph's maniacal need to crush Smoochy and reclaim his "rightful" spot, an even more debased former children's host turned hit man, a punch-drunk boxer whom Smoochy befreinds, and when all appears lost, a shockingly happy ending.
A black comedy with a heart of gold, Death to Smoochy is a riot and surprisingly touching.
Article comments
1 - TDavid
I liked this one too. It was one of those movies you think you are going to dislike, but it surprises. Dark, but strangely compelling.
2 - Eric Olsen
it's a weird combination of "War of the Roses," "Things to Do in Denver" and "Joan of Arc"
3 - Jim Carruthers
This movie got reviews which said it was terrible, so I've avoided it so far. And it has a wierd dialectic, I really like Ed Norton as an actor (though he's done some stinko movies) but am repulsed by Robin Williams.
However, since I have a DVD subscription (moviesforme.ca) service I will probably check this out.
4 - Eric Olsen
For you then, Jim, the best that can be said of Williams in this is that you quickly forget he is Robin Williams. He can be a very effective actor.
5 - TDavid
I must admit that I have liked Williams in some of his serious roles like One Hour Photo.
6 - Eric Olsen
I like him either totally in character - riffing and crazy - or totally out of character. In between can be pretty grim.
7 - Van Santos
Williams plays a great character here but, this was never going to be a movie for the masses.
8 - Eric Olsen
And apparently it wasn't, as I didn't know ANYTHING about it prior to seeing it on cable.