Let's be realistic.

A Brilliant Conflict

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I first put this film on but I was pleasently surprised. I also love the role reversal for two of my favourite actors. I'm so used to Ed Norton playing the villain role and Robin Williams playing the hero. This is just a testament to their range of acting because someone I generally love (Williams) I found myself despising thoughout the film. It was well paced and great characters and poetic ying/yang chemistry between Norton and Williams.

Randolph Smiley (Robin Williams) is the corrupt host of the kiddie show, "The Rainbow Randolph Show". The FBI catches him with a sting of him selling kids' spots on his show. The show is quickly canceled. Sleezy executive Frank Stokes (Jon Stewart) and hardened producer Nora Wells (Catherine Keener) are given the task to look for a replacement. They hire the squeaky clean Sheldon Mopes (Edward Norton) and his Smoochy the Rhino character. Mopes hires agent Burke Bennett (Danny DeVito) to get back control of his own show. Smiley works to sabotage him and retake the show.I can take a movie without laughs but this is more than that. Director Danny DeVito's aggressive style elevates the annoying aspects of kiddie TV. It's gaudy, in-your-face, and loud. There are no characters to like. Sure it's a dark comedy but I don't even care enough to want these people dead. I simply want to get away from them. It takes top level talents really going for it to drive a movie this far off the tracks. Lesser people would be stuck and stop short. This movie takes the most annoying parts and drive it right through the screen. It's not that I didn't laugh or that I got bored. I couldn't stand it and that is a great achievement.

Sheldon would have been Bob, of course, an innocent assertive soul full of ideals. Then Plankton would play Rainbow Randolph, narcissistic, envious and impulsive without clear sense of right or wrong, but nonetheless not necessarily an evil character.Burke Bennett (DeVito's character) would be played by Mr Krabs, always behind the money. Patrick Star would fit in the Spinner Dunn character.Nora Wells, would be played by Sandy Cheeks (eventhough they are not romantically involved in the SpongeBob series, but, this is a casting for a movie, so they will have to get over a few kisses and etcetera).Mrs. Poppy Puff would play Tommy Cotter, she fits just right.I'm sure there are other parallels, but I'll leave it up to you to figure out.I enjoyed this movie, it was kind of strange but appealing, it was shocking to see Robin Williams in the suicide attempt scene, one only can wonder what was going through his mind at the moment of truth.

This is the first time I've reviewed a film, I thought this was a great one to begin with. Im not sure how or why I missed this movie the year of its release. I don't remember ever seeing it playing at the cinema.Robin Williams, Edward Norton and Danny Devito?? Are you kidding me? So in saying that, when I did stumble upon it a few years ago, after first viewing i wasn't convinced i totally 'got it' in regards to the dark humor. I knew I missed something. Second viewing however, I realized it was a comedic gem, with subtle humor all the way through, and some outright hilarious scenes that are one of a kind, perfectly executed, and great acting. Robin Williams is a kids TV host and character that loses his job, for taking bribes off parents that want their kids on the show. So he gets canned, loses everything, goes nuts, everyone rejects him. Ed Norton, a rehab motivational guitar playing nice guy, gets his job as the Smoochy character, and Robin Williams wants revenge. Robin Williams plays the role of the mildly insane bad guy perfectly, just hilarious and unpredictable. The 'cookie' scene has got to be one of the greatest scenes ever. The restaurant mascot,owned by the Irish mob, is named Spinner, and is a very funny ex- boxer thats punch drunk,and every scene he is in just makes me laugh every time. All in all, great writing, great acting, and a very clever and hilarious take on the corruption in big business, but the first time I've seen it based around children's TV! I give this a solid 8, for repetitive value, uniqueness, and great writing and directing. If you have a clever sense of humor you will smile for a while after watching this movie..Enjoy!