The Big Kahuna (1999)

(In theaters, July 2000) Obviously adapted from a theatrical play (as given away by the one-room setting), this film is more of actor’s showcase than a satisfying movie experience. Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito and Peter Facinelli all provide great performances, and the dialogue is good enough to tear into. The first act is the best, with the Spacey’s unrepentantly cynical character dominating the film and the mordant dialogue. After that, the film gets preachy and self-important and loses a lot of its appeal. The conclusion is unsatisfying in that “and they he learned an important life lesson despite it being unpleasant” type of fashion.