Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
Tells the story of Rainbow Randolph, the corrupt, costumed star of a popular children's TV show, who is fired over a bribery scandal and replaced by squeaky-clean Smoochy, a puffy fuchsia rhinoceros. As Smoochy catapults to fame - scoring hit ratings and the affections of a network executive - Randolph makes the unsuspecting rhino the target of his numerous outrageous attempts to exact revenge and reclaim his status as America's sweetheart.
Death to Smoochy is a genuinely singular piece of dark comedy filmmaking — its conception of children's TV corruption crossed with mob intrigue and bitter adult satire is unlike almost anything else in its era. Robin Williams goes gleefully unhinged as Randolph, and Edward Norton brings an earnest sweetness to Smoochy that plays well against the cynicism around him, making the acting serviceable to good overall. The plot is functional but meanders in its second act, losing momentum before a rushed and tonally uneven finale that deflates rather than satisfies. Visually, Danny DeVito's direction is competent but unremarkable — the palette is garish by design but not particularly inventive cinematographically. The film's cult reputation rests almost entirely on its wild premise and Williams' committed performance, both of which are genuine strengths even if the whole doesn't fully cohere.