Braving the Bargain Bin: Death to Smoochy

Braving the Bargain Bin: Death to Smoochy
Even an all-star cast can’t keep some movies from the bargain bins. Today’s film is filled with stars who’ve each carried movies on their own. Will the names Robin Williams, Edward Norton, and Danny DeVito save this movie from becoming a drink holder? Our next bargain bin selection is...

Title: Death To Smoochy
Genre: Dark Comedy
Price: 2/$10 (Walmart)
Welcome to the world of children’s entertainment, where everything is bright and shiny and there’s corruption at every turn. Robin Williams plays Randolph “Rainbow Randolph” Smiley, the biggest star in children’s programming. He’s on top of the world and raking in the cash, but that doesn’t stop him from wanting just a little bit more. After being caught taking payola, the network drops him and he finds himself disgraced and out on the street. His manic personality takes hold (this is Robin Williams after all), and he vows revenge on his new replacement and tries to claw his way back into the spotlight.

The network isn’t taking any chances this time. They need someone safe and bland as all get-out to replace the menace Randolph. Enter Sheldon Mopes (Edward Norton) and his alter ego Smoochy the Fuscia Rhino. He’s happy, he’s sappy, and he’s naive enough to think the world is actually sunshine and rainbows—the perfect tool for Kidnet. Executive Nora Wells (Catherine Keener) isn’t so sure but seeks out our purple protagonist anyway. She finds him singing jingles to drug addicts in a handmade rhino suit, and after a lesson on healthy hotdogs, brings him back to the studio, where all of his dreams can come true. Smoochy’s show is a hit, and soon Rainbow Randolph is just a forgotten fad. Unlike Randolph, Sheldon just wants to make kids happy. Too bad there is nothing more commercialized than the children’s entertainment industry and (against his morals) Sheldon is forced to hock crappy merchandise and sell sugary junk food.

(It’s a Rocket Ship!)
Sheldon turns to a shady agent named Burke (Danny DeVito, who also directed the movie) to help bring his “Magical Jungle Hour” back to its educational roots. After a few double crosses, befriending the Irish Mob, a Nazi rally, and finding out Nora was a “kiddie host groupie”, the movie culminates in a spectacular ice show (a la Disney) and an assassination attempt. It’s weird. It’s kooky. But damn, is it a lot of fun.

(Yes, that is John Stewart)
This movie isn’t for everyone. It’s nonsensical, dark, and pretty pessimistic. If you don’t like Robin Williams doing what Robin Williams does, then by all means, skip this.  I really love him as this coked-up, out of control, completely off-balanced children’s performer (insert real life parallel here). Edward Norton’s Sheldon is the nice guy, but they give him a past, and personal issues, which is more character development than I’d expected from a movie about a purple rhino.  More importantly, it’s actually pretty funny. The timing and the acting is good, and I find myself still spouting lines from it, although most aren’t really appropriate for print.  This is not a children’s film. If you’re in the mood for something just a little stupid, with a hell of a lot of swearing, a bit of violence, and Edward Norton and Robin Williams ice dancing, this is the movie for you. As for me, I will definitely watch this movie again. In fact, I could be watching it right now...

Final Verdict...Keeper

-Jill Nagel