Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

Hypocrisy and Christianity seem to go hand in hand at times. And, it's hard to argue against it. A month ago, Ted Haggard's escapades into hypocrisy made their way into the news. I've just dated my review, because in a year, few will remember who he is, because someone else will have moved into the batter's box taking his place. It's a disturbing thing, and probably not just for the world of Christianity. The Big Kahuna recognizes this...or, something similar...and spends some time juggling ideas of hypocrisy, Christianity, evangelism.

When "art" is done properly and honestly, it can make some excellent observations. It might not always put its finger exactly on the button of what's wrong...but, it usually has an element of truth to it which is worth listening to if you take the time. The Big Kahuna is one such movie.

Based on a play (Hospitality Suite), The Big Kahuna is one and a half hours of dialogue in one room. Three industrial lubricant salesman are stationed in a hotel hospitality suite, waiting for their sales party in the evening. They've been told that a big potential sale will be arriving at their party, so the three wait, anticipating what is to come. The party occurs and by chance, only one of them meets this 'Big Kahuna'...he also happens to be the rookie salesman...and, he must now follow their big lead to another party and give him a business card.

It just so happens that our rookie salesman, Bob, is a Christian. It also happens that Bob does not attempt to sell any industrial lubricants, instead he attempts to evangelize their key contact. Obviously, our other two characters, Larry (Kevin Spacey) and Phil (Danny DeVito) are a tad on the upset side of the scale. Bob had a job to do, but instead of doing it, he spent the time moving the conversation toward talk of God.

While all of the above is occurring we observe some of the things that Bob has missed. For example, Phil (DeVito) has a divorce in the works and his overarching bad time of life has caused him to be curious about God. It's also caused him to think about suicide. How do we know this? We know this, because loud, boisterous, obnoxious Larry (Spacey) has built a relationship with Phil over the years and Phil feels comfortable sharing with Larry.

One of the beauties of this movie is that it leaves some key pieces of the puzzle unanswered. For example, we are tempted to judge Bob, for spending his sales time talking about God to an unseen big-wig while ignoring the depressed suicidal man who works with him. However, we never see Bob's conversation about God with this potential lubricant buyer. We do know that Bob leads the conversation toward God, but apparently his potential sale enjoyed round one of their conversation, because he gives Bob his card in case he wants to meet him later that night. Perhaps, Bob's target client is also depressed and suicidal (just like Phil), and Bob is doing what's best by talking with him about God?

My impression of Bob, however, is that he is just a salesman. He wants his "sale" at any cost, even the cost of two ruined relationships. He argues with Larry at the end of the movie, defending that what he did was not wrong. He defends his point physically with Larry by fighting with him. Bob ignores about 15 commands and proverbs from his own Bible in order to defend one. The Bible seems to view a Christian as more of a message deliverer than a salesperson. What is the difference? At the least, there are two differences. 1) A message deliverer takes "no" for an answer, and 2) they represent the person sending the message. Bob may be taking this approach with the big lubricant client, but from Larry and Phil's perspective of him (our perspective) there's not much evidence to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Bob seems like a salesperson to me. He doesn't seem to have an honest care about the things he claims to be representing. Bob doesn't seem to be concerned about people, or about God's worth, but instead he seems more worried about pride, or numbers, or recognition when he gets back to church. So....are Christians who evangelize equal to salespeople? In my mind, The Big Kahuna uses Bob to say "Yes, they can be". It's doubtful that the creators intended any blanket "Christian = Salesperson" statements. But, the movie offers a good reminder of how similar the two can look when Christians stray away from what the Bible actually says.

This is only one of several questions that The Big Kahuna brings up.*** However, there is more to a movie than just themes. The Big Kahuna offers some good acting performances, Danny DeVito does an especially good job. The movie’s biggest downfall is frequent patches of awkward dialogue. The movie definitely has the feel of a play turned into a movie…so, parts wouldn’t feel awkward if you were watching a stage play, but because of what we’re used to hearing on film…there’s some patchy spots.

Overall, this is a movie that I would highly recommend to those introspective movie-goers who enjoy having their thoughts challenged. It asks the question: “Are Christians merely offering people a sales pitch?”, but additionally I think it asks the bigger question of “How often does anybody turn off sales-pitch mode and offer real-self mode?”

I’ll leave you with these two statements from Danny DeVito’s character. I think they are full of irony when one considers that his character is a long-time salesman, and fully depressed with his life. These are the words that this depressed salesman offers the naive Christian character.

- It doesn't matter whether you're selling Jesus or Buddha or civil rights or 'How to Make Money in Real Estate With No Money Down.' That doesn't make you a human being; it makes you a marketing rep. If you want to talk to somebody honestly, as a human being, ask him about his kids. Find out what his dreams are - just to find out, for no other reason. Because as soon as you lay your hands on a conversation to steer it, it's not a conversation anymore; it's a pitch. And you're not a human being; you're a marketing rep.

- I'm saying you've already done plenty of things to regret, you just don't know what they are. It's when you discover them, when you see the folly in something you've done, and you wish that you had it do over, but you know you can't, because it's too late. So you pick that thing up, and carry it with you to remind you that life goes on, the world will spin without you, you really don't matter in the end. Then you will gain character, because honesty will reach out from inside and tattoo itself across your face.

-----
*** Kevin Cawley has written a good review of The Big Kahuna on his blog. He has a link to a page of thought provoking questions related to the movie. Here is the link:
http://cawley.typepad.com/blog/2005/08/finding_god_in_.html

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV