A family film for the Instant Messenger age, RV takes a humorous look at a mostly functional suburban family's attempt to get away from it all on a rare vacation. The always hilarious Robin Williams plays Bob Munro, a beaten-down middle manager who feels alienated from the family he works so hard to keep comfortable. Upon his insistence, the Munro family rents an RV and embarks on a search for quality time in the land of Manifest Destiny. With his frustrated wife Jamie (the always stellar Cheryl Hines of TV's CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM), rapper-wannabe son Carl (Josh Hutcherson), and angsty daughter Cassie (Joanna Levesque, best known as a tween pop singer), la famiglia Munro is Westward Ho. However, white-collar Bob's lack of adeptness at handling the monstrous vehicle causes plenty of amusing chaos. Thank God for the kindness of strangers--in this case, a couple of endearing oddballs played by Jeff Daniels (who proved his comedic chops in the DUMB AND DUMBER films) and Kristin Chenoweth. As Travis and Mary Jo, two obsessive RV-ers with a penchant for barbecues, beer, and yodeling, they serve as the Middle-American heart and soul of the film, much smarter and savvier than cultural stereotypes write them off as being.
Seasoned comedy director Barry Sonnenfield (MEN IN BLACK, WILD, WILD WEST) proves that he has mastered the intelligent comedy, and Williams, particularly in moments that are improvised, proves his brilliance once again. But it is the uniformly excellent supporting cast, in particular a knee-slapping turn by Will Arnett (Gob on TV's ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT), that makes RV so memorable.
Theatrical Release: April 28, 2006
Blu-ray Disc Features:
Blue BD Case
Widescreen - 2.40
Audio:
PCM 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital Surround Sound 5.1 - English, French
Subtitles - English, French - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Commentaries - 1. Barry Sonnenfeld - Director (with Telestrator)
Featurettes - 1. "On Set with Director Barry Sonnenfeld"
2. "JoJo: The Pop Princess"
3. "RV Nation: The Culture of Road Warriors"
4. "Robin Williams: A Family Affair"
5. "The Scoop on Poop"
Director of Photography
Fred Murphy: American Director Of Photography
Executive Producer
Bobby Cohen: American Producer
Production Designer
Michael Bolton: Production Designer, NOT singer
Costume Designer
Mary E. Vogt:
Review 1:
3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he strength of the performances and a troop of likable characters transform it from a film you merely wouldn't regret watching to one you'll actually enjoy."
Source: Box Office
p.59 06/01/2006
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