Dunston Checks In (1996)

User Rating:

4.5/10   

Director:

Ken Kwapis

Writers (WGA):

John Hopkins (story)
John Hopkins (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

12 January 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Adventure | Family

Plot:

Young boy befriends larcenous orangutan in luxury hotel.

Plot Keywords:

Simian Fiction | Slapstick | Father | Monkey | Teenager

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Jason Alexander	...	Robert Grant
Faye Dunaway	...	Mrs. Dubrow
Eric Lloyd	...	Kyle Grant
Rupert Everett	...	Lord Rutledge
Graham Sack	...	Brian Grant
Paul Reubens	...	Buck LaFarge
Glenn Shadix	...	Lionel Spalding
Nathan Davis	...	Victor Dubrow
Jennifer Bassey	...	Mrs. Dellacroce
Judith Scott	...	Nancy
Bruce Beatty	...	Murray
Danny Comden	...	Norm
Steven Gilborn	...	Artie
Lois De Banzie	...	Mrs. Winthrop
Natalie Core	...	Mrs. Feldman

MPAA:

Rated PG for some mild language and sensuality.

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

USA:PG (certificate #34106) | Iceland:L | South Korea:All | Netherlands:6 | Netherlands:AL (original rating) | Australia:G | Finland:S | Germany:o.Al. (w) | Portugal:M/6 | Spain:T | UK:PG

Company:

Joe Wizan/Todd Black

Trivia:

The interior New York hotel scenes were filmed in Los Angeles at the old Bullocks Wilshire Building, which is no longer open.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Lionel gets his glasses off the cucumber woman's chest he is holding the end of them. When the camera changes he is not touching the glasses at all. When it goes back to the first camera he is touching them again.

Quotes:

Lord Rutledge: From the look of my soup I'd say someone in your kitchen has a serious hair loss problem.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "House M.D.: Need to Know (#2.11)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Have Fun, Go Mad!

Dunaway Checks In!

This film is obviously never going to be a monumental classic for all time, but it's quite underrated just the same. The story is simple. A four star hotel (run by Alexander, who lives there with his two sons) is up for a prestigious fifth star in the ratings guide when a jewel thief comes to visit, utilizing an orangutan as his accomplice. The fire-breathing owner turns on the heat to succeed while all hell breaks loose thanks to the primate. There seems to be something for everyone in it. The film begins with a lot of class as the various accoutrements of the hotel are featured. Kids should adore the orangutan "Dunston" and be able to identify with young Lloyd as his pal. Seinfeld fans should enjoy watching Alexander face all sorts of turmoil and hubbub as the harried hotel manager. Everett is comic in a grand, old-style sort of way with wrinkles, false teeth and a very threatening cane. There are a number of very talented supporting players who add to the comedic flair of the movie (Shadix, Bassey.) Even former "Pee Wee" Reubens has a cameo as a very aggressive exterminator. The end-all, be-all, though, is Dunaway. As the Leona Helmsley-esque, ultra-demanding, hyper-glamorous hotel owner, she walks off with the film and shows a rare funny side. It's not every day you see Dunaway with pink cake and icing all over her face. She cuts loose with a game, vivid, aware comedic performance which echoes all the neurotic, bitchy roles she used to play, but gave up after the stigma of "Mommie Dearest" wouldn't wear off. Somehow this missed at the box office, but it is perfect family entertainment for home video.