Robin Williams teams with director Barry Sonnenfeld for his return to slapstick comedy with RV – a film that delivers some laughs even if it borrows its plots from past comedies and runs out of gas before the movie ends.
Joining Williams on the traveling road comedy are Cheryl Hines, Jeff Daniels, Kristin Chenoweth, Josh Hutcherson, and singer Joanna 'JoJo' Levesque. The film was written by Geoff Rodkey – the writer that helped bring us the Shaggy Dog remake and Daddy Day Care.
The film borrows elements of pretty much every family vacation comedy that has ever been made from 1954's The Long, Long Trailer with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz to 1983’s National Lampoon's Vacation with Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo.
Williams, who is kept somewhat restrained for most of the film, plays the well-meaning husband and father Bob Munro who wants to reconnect with his family, but has to also balance his high pressure corporate job. The family is set for a vacation to Hawaii when Bob discovers he is going to have to cancel the trip to pitch a new merger for his company. Scared this will further push his family apart, Williams decides to combine work and vacation by renting a huge motor home to take his family on the ultimate road trip to the Colorado Rockies – which just happens to be where his work meeting will be located.
However, when Williams’ pulls up in the driveway in the slick motor home (which the family quickly dubs “Rolling Turd”) his wife (Cheryl Hines), teenage daughter (Joanna "JoJo" Levesque) and pre-teen son (Josh Hutcherson) are less than thrilled with his reasons for canceling the Hawaii trip. Williams convinces his wife that the trip is a way for them all to spend some “quality” time without all the distraction of their normal lives, but fails to mention that he also needs to get some work time squeezed in. This sets up lots of scenes where Williams is forced to sneak around with his laptop computer, or try to keep his family from discovering his real reason for being on the trip.
After the family’s first stopover at a local RV park (which includes the classic potty humor joke), the family meets the bizarre and always RV traveling Gornicke family (Jeff Daniels and Kristin Chenoweth). The Gornicke family seems to be a bunch of “stupid rednecks” and quickly becoming a continual thorn in the side of Williams and his family.
Williams is reduced to stunt jokes
This is a familiar plot so most of the laughs are well telegraphed (such as when Williams drains the RV sewer line), and you can pretty much figure that the family will come together before the end of the film; discover Williams’ other reason for being on the trip; work out their differences with the Gornicke family; and Williams will discover what is more important – family or business.
While the film marks Williams’ return to slapstick comedy, he is really rather restrained for most of the film, and almost drifts into the “straight man” role. His quick witted jabs are there, but mostly under hushed breath. Instead of letting the comic go wild, Sonnenfeld keeps Williams chained to stunt jokes (such as getting sprayed with crap or balancing on the edge of the RV as it dangles on a cliff), and pushes the character into “Clark Griswold territory.” It is not that Williams isn’t funny in the film, but the role doesn’t really suit him. At times, it seems he is just waiting to go nuts.
Thankfully, Williams is supported by a great cast which helps pick up the slack whenever the film is lacking any laughs. Hines, Hutcherson, and Levesque are great as Williams’ family, and are able to more than hold their own against the comic legend.
While Williams is reduced to slapstick sight gags (such as doing battle against raccoons), the other actors deliver sharp sarcastic lines that will keep you laughing and forgiving the film’s faults. Daniels and Chenoweth (who basically make up the Cousin Eddie role) also bring some laughs with their off the wall behavior. The characters work in the film because they are not overused, but pray there won’t be a spin-off.
The DVD comes loaded with special features including five featurettes that take you into the making of the movie, on the set with the stars, and how some of the gags were pulled off. There is also commentary with Sonnenfeld, alternate scenes, and storyboard-to-film comparisons. The features also include RV Reveries which shows the family sing alongs; and a gag reel which features Williams going off a few times, bloopers, and other moments where the cast members break character.
Hines and the rest of the cast bring the laughs
RV is a bit of a hit and miss with me. Parts of the film are really funny, but I was rather disappointed with Williams’ performance in the movie. I was hoping it would be funnier – even though I honestly wasn’t expecting much out of the plot. Still, the movie does have some funny moments, and is entertaining even if it is familiar. I would recommend it to anyone wanting a comedy that doesn’t require much or any thought to enjoy.
RV is now available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information. The Blu-Ray version of the film is also available at Amazon . Visit the DVD database for more information on this edition.
DimeetrikJun 1st, 2007 - 16:33:35
jojo u r soooooo beautiful, do u have a boyfriend? if not than me and you can be a very happy couple because i know how to treat a lady just right, i'm too nice to women. joanna jo levesque i wanna be with u soo please jojo think about what i had said ok beautiful?
Report this comment