Release Date: March 29, 2002
Starring: Robin Williams, Edward Norton, Danny DeVito, Jon Stewart, Catherine Keener
Directed by: Danny DeVito
Written by: Adam Resnick
Distributed by: Warner Brothers
MPAA Rating: R (language, sexual references, mild violence)
When you think of a black comedy, you think death, witty dialogue, and crazy characters slightly on edge. Death to Smoochy develops these key elements by way of extraordinary direction from Danny DeVito and over-the-top performances by Robin Williams and Edward Norton. Unfortunately, the story is probably a little too dark for the tastes of most viewers; and in fact, the plot was too well hidden within these shadows.
DeVito has been on a bit of a downhill slide, especially considering his most recent efforts in Heist and What's the Worst That Could Happen? By contrast, he was better in Smoochy, but what that really means is that he's simply good at playing the slimeball. By no means do I discredit his talent, but even in the films he directs, he pins himself as the sleaze no one tends to root for.
On the flip side of that coin, he does have a talent for directing. DeVito began his dark comedy journey with Throw Momma From the Train (1987) and War of the Roses (1989), and what he hasn't forgotten in the intervening 15 years is that his expressive themes translate the best through strange characters. Here, he was able to create a slightly bizarre version of New York where Barney the Purple Dinosaur wannabes influence children and adults alike to no end. It is an interesting commentary on popular entertainment and one that is visually well told through colors, lighting, camera placement, and shadows. (Not since Dick Tracy has a movie played out like a comic book, as far as producing an array of rich colors.)
DeVito got the most from stars Williams and Norton, but unfortunately Adam Resnick didn't flesh out his story into something more complete or fluid. He wrote some great one-liners that Williams delivered with his characteristic aplomb, and the mock songs for the shows are also surprisingly delightful and feel consistent with the typical children's show atmosphere. But as I was laughing at the crude humor and violence, I realized I didn't know where the story was going.
The chaos of it all starts when the popular children's show host Rainbow Randolph (Robin Williams) gets booted from his show after he is caught taking bribes from parents to get their kids on camera. The network, KidsNet, can't have someone like this as their icon, so corporate execs M. Frank Stokes (Jon Stewart, Big Daddy) and Nora Wells (Catherine Keener, Being John Malkovich) select most harmless replacement available. Enter Smoochy, the happy-go-lucky bright pink rhinoceros, played by Sheldon Mopes (Edward Norton), who eventually takes off to national stardom. Meanwhile, Randolph Smiley is still lurking in the shadows and becomes consumed with revenge after Sheldon becomes an executive himself and starts running the show "squeaky clean." The only bad side is that it turns out to be anything but clean.
It's a promising setup, but it's also deflated by the lack of story Resnick puts into this supposedly darker side of the film. It would appear the film is about the debilitating effects of money and greed, but it doesn't feel totally substantiated; that is, there are a lot of colorful characters that have a lot of great lines, but that aside, it boils down to a hazy story with too many useless roles.
In the end, the film almost did too much. It could have pulled off many of the same laughs even if it had been a little "cleaner." Viewers will definitely feel bad laughing at times -- the humor is as irreverent as any of the Farrelly brothers' films. But this is still Resnick's best work (which isn't saying much, with Lucky Numbers and Cabin Boy also on his résumé); he definitely has that weird sense of humor perfect for a dark comedy.
Overall, though, Death to Smoochy is the laugh-out-loud comedy you would expect from the minds of Danny DeVito and Robin Williams. It may require a twisted mind, or checking your conscience at the box office (in my case, both applied), but it is possible to appreciate Smoochy and all of his ... smoochiness.
all contents © 2002 Michael J. Eiff