Death to Smoochy ** (2002, Robin Williams, Edward Norton, Catherine Keener) – Classic Movie Review 1785

Robin Williams stars as horrible children’s TV show host Rainbow Randolph, who is sacked for bribery and corruption and wants revenge on his replacement, a meek folk singer called Sheldon Mopes (Edward Norton) who dresses up as Smoochy the Rhino.

Williams and Norton can’t help raising a few laughs in director Danny DeVito’s intriguingly unusual but dodgy 2002 black comedy that catches the attention but then falters, sputters and fizzles out. Adam Resnick’s lame screenplay is to blame, though it does gain marks for being daring.

DeVito, Catherine Keener, Jon Stewart Pam Ferris, Danny Woodburn, Michael Rispoli, Harvey Fierstein, Vincent Schiavelli and Tracey Walter lead the strong cast of game actors in support of the stars.

Robin Williams was found dead by suicide in his home in Tiburon, California, on August 11 2014, aged 63. He had been battling depression and had entered 12-step rehab for drug abuse. He won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1997 for Good Will Hunting, and won two Emmys, four Golden Globes, five Grammys and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Mrs Doubtfire was perhaps his most enduring character and he was gearing up to reprise the role in a sequel.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1785

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