Reel Critics

Ray Buffer

“Death To Smoochy” is what it is: A dark, cutthroat and wicked comedy.

It is o7 notf7 a kid’s movie. Don’t bring them. Chock full of adult

content and profanity, this film contains a diverse satirical plot in

which the border between the good guys and bad guys is continually

blurred and reversed.

Smoochy is set in the surreal backdrop of a New York produced

kiddy-show network. The plot: Rainbow Randolph (Robin Williams) gets

caught up in a scandal and is replaced by Smoochy (Ed Norton.) Back

stabbing vengeance ensues.

Screenwriter, Adam Resnick pounds out successful and unsuccessful digs

at kidvid with rapid fire. He also ends up creating a story arc that

allows Norton as “Smoochy” to shine as an altruistic performer who is

pushed to his limits. Williams is disturbingly amusing as Rainbow

Randolph, a sexually confused and somewhat psychotic children’s show

performer. Echoes of Pee Wee Herman, pervade.

Rounding out the cast is Harvey Fierstein, Michael Rispoli, Catherine

Keener, Jon Stewart and the film’s director Danny DeVito -- all of whom

are either miscast or underutilized, you take your pick. David Newman’s

musical score is bouncy and fresh, and Olympic ice skater Elvis Stojka

has a choreographer’s credit.

Norton’s character repeats his motto “You can’t change the world, but

you can make a dent” until you are brainwashed. The real moral of the

story? “Be true to your principles and don’t embrace the dark side.”

Ironically, by saying this, the film ends up chastising its

constituency for it is primarily those audience members who can

acknowledge their dark side that will truly enjoy this film.

The bottom line? I really enjoyed this film . . . and you may not.

* RAY BUFFER, 31, is a professional singer, actor and voice-over

artist.