The Big Kahuna

The Big Kahuna

Year: 2000

Runtime: 90 min

Language: English

Director: John Swanbeck

Budget: $7M

DramaComedy

Two veteran lubricant salesmen, Danny DeVito and Kevin Spacey, mentor a young colleague with tales of past triumphs while plotting to win over the highly sought-after “Big Kahuna,” Dick Fuler, at a Wichita convention. Their professional lives and the future of their company depend on securing a massive order that could turn their fortunes around. The competition is fierce, and the pressure is on as they navigate the complexities of the sales world.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Big Kahuna (2000)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Big Kahuna (2000). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Wichita, Kansas

Wichita, Kansas, serves as the backdrop for The Big Kahuna, providing a setting characterized by its vibrant atmosphere, especially during trade conventions. Known for a mix of cultural events and business opportunities, the city adds a layer of authenticity to the interactions between the characters. The film explores themes of friendship and personal struggles in this bustling environment.

🏙️ City 🎉 Convention

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:47

Main Characters – The Big Kahuna (2000)

Meet the key characters of The Big Kahuna (2000), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Larry Mann (Kevin Spacey)

Larry is a seasoned marketing representative grappling with significant financial troubles. His witty humor often masks a deeper sense of worry about his future. As a mentor to Bob, he strives to guide the younger man while navigating his own personal challenges.

💼 Marketing 🤔 Mentor

Phil Cooper (Danny DeVito)

Phil is a newly sober marketing veteran, who brings a wealth of experience and a sense of pragmatism to the group. His past struggles with alcoholism deepen his understanding of human connection and character development, making him a crucial figure in mentoring Bob.

🥃 Recovery 👨‍🏫 Wisdom

Bob Walker (Peter Facinelli)

Bob is the innocent and naïve young man in the group, representing a fresh perspective. His strong religious beliefs contrast sharply with Larry and Phil's more cynical views. As he navigates the world of marketing, he learns the importance of understanding one's own failings.

🙏 Faith 🌱 Growth

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:47

Major Themes – The Big Kahuna (2000)

Explore the central themes of The Big Kahuna (2000), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💼 Business Ethics

The Big Kahuna delves into the complexities of ethical behavior in business. Through the characters' interactions, the film examines the balance between personal integrity and professional ambition. The discussion on sales pitches versus genuine connections raises important questions about authenticity in business relationships.

🤝 Friendship

The theme of friendship is central to the narrative, depicted through the longstanding bond between Larry and Phil. Their relationship showcases the importance of trust and understanding, especially amid personal challenges like addiction and financial crises. This dynamic highlights how friendships can provide support and guidance during difficult times.

🌱 Personal Growth

Personal growth is a key theme explored through the characters' journeys. Larry's smoking cessation, Phil's sobriety, and Bob's religious convictions highlight the struggles and transformations individuals face. The film encourages viewers to reflect on their own growth and understanding of regrets and shortcomings.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:47

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Explore Movie Threads

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Talky Character-Driven Dramas like The Big Kahuna

Movies where conversation reveals deep personal divides and life's regrets.If you enjoyed the sharp dialogue and introspective mood of The Big Kahuna, you'll find similar films here. This collection features movies like The Big Kahuna that are driven by conversation, exploring themes of regret, friendship, and generational clashes in a slow-paced, character-focused way.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread unfold primarily through conversation, often in a single location. The plot is secondary to the emotional and philosophical conflicts between a small cast of characters. The journey is internal, focusing on the quiet realization of disappointment and the subtle shifts in relationships.

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Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on dialogue as the primary engine of the story, a bittersweet or melancholic tone, and a contemplative pace that allows for deep character exploration. They offer a thoughtful, often claustrophobic, experience centered on human connection and disillusionment.

Movies about Professional Pressure like The Big Kahuna

Stories where careers and identities are on the line in tense, confined settings.Find films that share the high-stakes sales environment and psychological tension of The Big Kahuna. These movies, similar to The Big Kahuna, explore the weight of professional failure and the complex dynamics between colleagues under extreme pressure.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows characters whose professional lives hinge on a critical, time-sensitive goal. Conflict arises from internal doubts, ethical dilemmas, and competitive rivals. The story is a slow-building pressure cooker that tests the characters' values and resilience, often leading to an ambiguous or bittersweet resolution about the cost of success.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups movies based on their shared theme of intense professional pressure, a medium-to-high sense of psychological stakes, and a focus on how ambition and business challenges reveal character. They deliver a specific kind of adult anxiety related to work, identity, and survival.

Unlock the Full Story of The Big Kahuna

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Big Kahuna in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Big Kahuna is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Big Kahuna Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Big Kahuna, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Big Kahuna Summary

The Big Kahuna Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Big Kahuna with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Big Kahuna Timeline

The Big Kahuna Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Big Kahuna that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Big Kahuna Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Big Kahuna

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