Death to Smoochy

R

Released Mar 29, 2002

1h 49m

Comedy

List

43%

Tomatometer

120 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Tells the story of Rainbow Randolph (Robin Williams), the corrupt, costumed star of a popular children's TV show, who is fired over a bribery scandal and replaced by squeaky-clean Smoochy (Edward Norton), a puffy fuscia rhinoceros. As Smoochy catapults to fame - scoring hit ratings and the affections of a network executive (Catherine Keener) - Randolph makes the unsuspecting rhino the target of his numerous outrageous attempts to exact revenge and reclaim his status as America's sweetheart.

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Critics Consensus

The talent involved can't save a script that has nowhere to go with its promising premise.

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Empire Magazine

Rated: 4/5

Dec 30, 2006

Full Review

Michael Wilmington

Chicago Tribune

A dark comedy that blows up like an exploding cigar, leaving nothing much behind but smoke, noise and a bad taste.

Rated: 2/4

Jul 20, 2002

Full Review

J. Hoberman

Village Voice

Death to Smoochy is often very funny, but what's even more remarkable is the integrity of DeVito's misanthropic vision.

Apr 2, 2002

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

On balance, this notorious critical underachiever and box office bomb is better than its reputation.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 25, 2024

Full Review

Cory Woodroof

615 Film

Rarely does something so tasteless on the surface produce such depth. I hope this finds its audience; this would bring the house down with the right midnight audience.

Jun 15, 2022

Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

An awful embarrassing movie...

Apr 29, 2009

Full Review

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Ariel F

The negative reviews of this movie are beyond comprehension. Absolutely brilliant satire. One of my all time favorite characters Williams has ever played and Norton is great too. Dark comedy at its finest. Beautiful character development. “Spinner” is particularly endearing. Jon Stewart’s acting is the only negative I can count of the film. I can’t think of a more warming dark-comedy. One of the more grossly underrated and under-valued movies since the turn of the century. “It’s a rocket ship!” 🚀 🦏 🤡

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/29/24

Full Review

Tim M

Danny DeVito's Death to Smoochy has moments of satirical brilliance, but they remain highly scattershot amid a wildly inconsistent screenplay.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

07/23/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Truly an underrated gem, also that cookie was totally a rocket

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/17/24

Full Review

Alec B

I recognize that its a bit of a mess and it has too many subplots however I appreciate the ambition and there are some perfectly executed dark gags in this.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/10/24

Full Review

Virginia Rand d

I'm shocked that people were so pissed off about this movie. On a basic level, it's structurally sound with an interesting premise. Not all movies can promise that. On top of that, it's totally unpredictable while staying true to the story, the performances are great, and the dialogue is really funny. Some of the moments are pretty eccentric and edge on bizarre, but it's fulfilling its intention. Maybe something culturally was happening at the time, and such a strange dark comedy wasn't welcome. But I hope Death To Smoochy gets its retribution.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/07/23

Full Review

James N

A great cast but they're pretty wasted. Phobe especially because of the pasta and sauce robin williams and danny woodburn shared. Catherine Keener is everything though my god

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/28/23

Full Review

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Danny DeVito

Director

Robin Williams

Randolph

Ed Norton

Sheldon Mopes

Catherine Keener

Nora

Danny DeVito

Burke

Jon Stewart

M. Frank Stokes

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Synopsis

Tells the story of Rainbow Randolph (Robin Williams), the corrupt, costumed star of a popular children's TV show, who is fired over a bribery scandal and replaced by squeaky-clean Smoochy (Edward Norton), a puffy fuscia rhinoceros. As Smoochy catapults to fame - scoring hit ratings and the affections of a network executive (Catherine Keener) - Randolph makes the unsuspecting rhino the target of his numerous outrageous attempts to exact revenge and reclaim his status as America's sweetheart.

Director: Danny DeVito
Producer: Andrew Lazar, Peter Macgregor-Scott
Screenwriter: Adam Resnick
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: FilmFour Productions
Rating: R (Sexual References|Language)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 29, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.4M
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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