Death to Smoochy Analysis

The film "Death to Smoochy" directed by Danny DeVito is a very bizarre, yet entertaining film starring Edward Norton, Robin Williams, and Danny DeVito. This dark comedy uses a variety of tools to create an enjoyable film for the audience. The character personality evolutions, outlandish plot scenarios, and real world critiques makes this movie a two thumbs up film.

Throughout the film, many characters go through changes in their personalities and attitudes. This not only makes the characters feel more real, but it makes the viewer love the characters more. The biggest instance of this change occurs with the main character's love interest, Nora. Nora begins the film detesting Edward Norton's character, Shelton, and had nothing but negative things to say to him. Slowly throughout the movie, her character warms up to Shelton's personality and she begins to appreciate all of the things that he does. Her demeanor during their interactions becomes more warm and open. People in the real world go through changes in personality in regards to relating to other people, and this imitation of this fact within the film makes Nora more realistic.

This film's plot is very outlandish and bizarre. Many zany things happen within the film, including Shelton having a family-like relationship with an Irish mafia and Nora's love affairs with a multitude of Children Television hosts. This sets a very interesting mood for the film that has allowed this film to reach cult movie status. Although many dark things happen within this movie, the inclusion of the quirky film parts effectively balances "Death to Smoochy" out to create an enjoyable view.

This film critiques many real world problems. One of the main criticism created by "Death to Smoochy" is the criticism of Capitalism and its effects on society. Within the film, the executives of the television station that Shelton works for tries to increase capitalistic gain by selling cheap products to children and promoting unhealthy foods to this young audience. Shelton fights against these moves and ultimately wins this battle. Because the hero of the movie is fighting against personal profit for the benefit of society, the viewer roots for this stance.

Many things come together to make "Death to Smoochy" a unique watch. Character development, oulandish plot events, and critiques of the real world all come together to create a truly entertaining movie.