Quickly, name the last funny movie you saw that starred Robin Williams. Some might argue for 2005's animated feature Robots, though just as many would call his performance predictable and annoying. The comedic roles before that are just as dubious. Patch AdamsFather's DayFlubberThe Birdcage. Browse through his filmography for yourself, but many would agree that you have to go back to Mrs. Doubtfire in 1993 to find a true comedic hit from the popular actor, his dramatic work notwithstanding.

Hard to say where RV falls in that range, but it's neither his best comedic work, nor his worst. That should come as little surprise with this variation on the family road trip movie, epitomized by National Lampoon's Vacation with Chevy Chase. After all, the film was written by Geoff Rodkey, whose most recent credits include 2006's remake of The Shaggy Dog with Tim Allen and 2003's Daddy Day Care with Eddie Murphy. And though director Barry Sonnenfeld has had his share of comedy classics (Men in Black, The Addams Family), he's also had his misfires (Wild Wild West).

Robin Williams and Cheryl Hines as the parents who take their kids on a family vacation

Robin Williams and Cheryl Hines as the parents who take their kids on a family vacation

Williams plays Bob Munro, an overworked family man who plans to take his wife Jamie (Cheryl Hines from HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm) and two children on a summer vacation to Hawaii. But then his smarmy boss tells Bob that he's needed for an important presentation in Colorado that same week. And since 15-year-old Cassie (teen pop artist JoJo) and 12-year-old Carl (Josh Hutcherson from Kicking and Screaming) have other plans for the remainder of the summer, the vacation time can't be delayed.

So at the last minute, without consulting his family or explaining the truth to them, Bob decides to rent a recreational vehicle for a trip to his childhood getaway in Colorado—which happens to be near the location of his job presentation. Obviously it'll be a great bonding experience for the whole family, right? That is, until everything that can go wrong does go wrong, like seemingly most family vacations.

Williams does his Bug on a Windshield imitation

Williams does his Bug on a Windshield imitation

RV has the right idea, but the wrong setup. It's sweet that Bob wants to try and repair the close bond he once shared with his children, as seen in the film's opening. But he's completely delusional in thinking that his whiny and sarcastic family, eager to repeatedly vocalize their disgust whenever they can, will enjoy his plan as an alternative to Hawaii (with no explanation for the change), especially with the ugly behemoth he ends up packing them into. Of course, this just shows how out of touch he's become with his family as a result of his job.

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Instead, it would have been more interesting if the film stayed on point by exploring the isolating effect of technology and self-interests on the American family. The Munros all have their own activities, listening to their own music through headphones, only speaking to each other only with irritated cynicism, and even text messaging when it's time for dinner. This is a real problem today, but unfortunately, RV takes the lazy way out by ultimately blaming the family's Simpsons-like dysfunction on Bob and his over-commitment to work. Meanwhile, the wife and kids become more loving and accommodating without really explaining why. Apparently, all you need to do is spend time together, and while there's definitely truth to that, we need to see that progression with all the characters, in fairness to the well-intentioned Bob.

Kristin Chenoweth and Jeff Daniels play a couple of 'Christian hicks' in the movie

Kristin Chenoweth and Jeff Daniels play a couple of 'Christian hicks' in the movie

But enough with family psychology and bad movie clichés. In spite of the predictable plot points, RV is indeed funny, if not unevenly so. The family vacation is a scenario rife with potential gags, and this film does offer some good ones. It also offers some cheap ones, many at the expense of rural folk like the Gornicke family, who come across as a redneck version of the Flanders family while essentially playing the same part as the Griswolds' cousins in Vacation.

The overall effect is kind of like someone who knows how to tell a good joke but doesn't have a funny punchline. For example, there's an extensive sequence involving Bob trying to figure out how to empty the septic tank at the RV park. His efforts, along with those of some well-intentioned yokels, inspire some chuckles as they fuss with the various hose attachments, but the inevitable poop shower is simply gross. More often than not, it's the small touches in the dialogue that make for good humor (clever pop culture references, relatable facial expressions, and Williams' penchant for impressions), not the painfully set-up physical gags themselves. It's still better than recent fare like Cheaper by the Dozen 2 and The Pink Panther remake.

The film includes its requisite sight gags, but not too many

The film includes its requisite sight gags, but not too many

Speaking of which, RV is generally suitable for family viewing, but with some caution. The film does scale back on profanity, relying more on crude expressions-the Munros lovingly refer to their mobile home as "the big rolling turd." Despite the septic tank sequence, which seems a legitimate source for humor concerning a first-time experience with an RV, the film generally stays clear of gross-out gags and crotch jokes. But perhaps more troublesome is the aforementioned disrespectful behavior of the children, which is tolerated rather than disciplined. Seems like kids might get the idea that smart-mouthing to parents is perfectly acceptable, so the film might be more suitable to those with a better sense of right and wrong.

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The movie's flaws are obvious, and yet it generally delivers what most would expect of such a comedy. It's nowhere near as good as Vacation or Mrs. Doubtfire, but it's not the joyless dud some might expect it to be either. There are moments of laughter and moments of disdain, some sequences where you will love the characters and others where you can't stand them. Hmm, maybe RV is close to the real thing after all.

Talk About It

  Discussion starters
  1. Why doesn't Bob explain the reason for the change in vacation plans to his family? Do you think his reasoning is sound? How might he have better handled the situation?

  2. In your own family vacations, how do you avoid conflict with others while being cooped up together in a vehicle for hours? What are the traits in a healthy family relationship (i.e. what traits would have better helped the Munro family)?

  3. What does the Bible have to say about family relationships? See Exodus 20:12, Proverbs 10:17, Proverbs 13:24, Ephesians 5:22-33, Ephesians 6:1-4, and Colossians 3:18-21 for just a few examples.

  4. We all have our special interests and responsibilities. How much time should a family spend together each week? What are the indicators for a family that's spending too little (or too much) time together? And considering that a job is intended to provide for the family, when does it become a hindrance?

  5. How does the film initially portray the Gornicke family? What impression are we left with by the film's end? Does the film depict them as a positive example of a Christian family? Is it a negative stereotype, or are they just "quirky"? What does the film seem to be saying about the treatment of strangers? See also Matthew 10:40-42, Matthew 25:31-46, and Luke 10:25-37 for some examples.



The Family Corner

For parents to consider

RV is rated PG for crude humor, innuendo, and language. There are a few light profanities, but the film relishes more in crude language and humor. For example, the Munros call their vehicle "the rolling turd," and there's a scene of emptying a septic tank with predictably disgusting results. The innuendo refers to the Munro parents' plans to spend "quality time" together after the kids have gone to bed, and a trailer park mom (played by Kristin Chenoweth) shows off a lot of cleavage. It's all generally family friendly, though recommended more for older children who understand discipline. Kids might otherwise imitate the extremely sarcastic and cynical behavior of the Munro family.

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What Other Critics Are Saying
compiled by Josh Hurst

from Film Forum, 05/04/06

Remember the last great Robin Williams comedy? Me neither. Though he's turned in some fine dramatic performances in films like Insomnia and One-Hour Photo, some critics and fans think the one-time box-office superstar is in need of a comeback. Williams' vehicle of choice: RV, a family comedy directed by Barry Sonnenfeld (Men in Black).

It's one of those everything-that-can-go-wrong-does comedies, in which Williams plays a father desperate for some bonding time with his family. Work commitments and scheduling conflicts conspire against him, however, and ultimately his only choice is to rent a recreational vehicle and take his family on a road trip to Colorado. High-jinks, of course, ensue.

Critics are none too thrilled with Williams' new ride.

Bob Smithouser (Plugged In) is less pleased: "RV's great messages about prejudice, developing respect for others and what it really means to put family first become roadkill beneath the wheels of bathroom humor, innuendo and profanity."

Mainstream critics found little recreational about this vehicle, wishing Williams had stayed home.

RV
Our Rating
2½ Stars - Fair
Average Rating
 
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Mpaa Rating
PG (for crude humor, innuendo, and language)
Genre
Directed By
Barry Sonnenfeld
Run Time
1 hour 39 minutes
Cast
Robin Williams, Cheryl Hines, Kristin Chenoweth
Theatre Release
April 28, 2006 by Columbia Pictures
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