The Big Kahuna *** (R)
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Reviewed By George O. Singleton
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Nothing Happens Until You Sell Something
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Larry: Kevin Spacey
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Phil: Danny DeVito
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Bob: Peter Facinelli
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Director: John Swanbeck
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30 Second Bottom Line: Two seasoned salesmen break in a young rookie as they prepare to host a hospitality suite for potential clients.
Story Line: Nothing happens until you sell something. Until then, it's all just activity and no results. The Big Kahuna is a movie about selling in America, by way of trade shows.
Larry (Kevin Spacey) and Phil (Danny DeVito) are long time employees who have been selling as a team for years. The trade show is held in the hotel's ballroom where "meet and greet" type activity occurs, with introductions and giveaways to get people who won't talk on the trade show floor to at least drop off their business cards in a fishbowl. These salesmen press the flesh much like a politician running for office.
To make a really big impression and close more deals, its customary to have a hospitality suite on an upper floor of the hotel, that offers a view of the city, with a bartender and plenty of finger food. Getting the right people to attend that event can literally be the make or break activity to determine if any sales are made, especially the big ones. The Big Kahuna is literally THE big prospect that when closed, changes your fortunes substantially and for the better.
Larry and Phil are desperate to get Dick Fuller, a key executive of a firm they have not been able to meet with in the past, to their hospitality suite. Phil has called Mr. Fuller's office and has never been able to get past his secretary, but she did tell him that Mr. Fuller would come to the suite that evening. Larry is suspect, thinking he is getting put off. During the party, Larry is checking nametags to see if Fuller is there. Bob (Peter Facinelli) is the new rookie sales rep, who appears to be out of his element, destined for failure. They are doing the suite on the cheap, without a professional bartender or upscale hors d'oeuvres, like shrimp. Bob has been assigned to be the bartender. He struggles with the assignment since he does not drink hard liquor, and only occasionally has a beer. He appears a "fish out of water" in this environment.
After everyone is gone, Larry and Phil are despondent because Dick Fuller did not show up. They perk up when Bob tells them that Fuller was there and that he talked to him at length. Fuller wore the name tag of another person in his firm, and they talked about the recent death of Fuller's dog. Fuller even gave Bob an invitation to a private reception later that evening. This freaks out Larry and Phil because they must put the job of closing Fuller in the hands of a rookie.
Tell Me More About It: The Big Kahuna is more informative about the feelings of salespeople on the road than it is entertaining. It feels like a play because it is based upon one called "Hospitality Suite", and has just three speaking characters.
Much of what you learn with respect to selling, relates to life in general. You can get "tired" of a situation and know that it's time to change. There is no substitute for honesty and trust. Just because you have known someone a long time does not mean those qualities exist in the relationship.
As the credits roll and the music plays, you hear things which say much about cutting your own path in life; with the words "live in NYC once, but leave before you get too hard…live in California once, but leave before you get too soft". The Big Kahuna is about following your passion in life, and pursuing your goals with a whatever it takes attitude. You are always selling, and you always have a choice. Do your homework and make the best choice you can with the information you have. Then move forward, and don't look back.
R (language)
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George O. Singleton © 2000
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