Synopsis :
Rainbow Randolph (Robin Williams) enjoys his life and career as a happily corrupt children’s television show host, until he is caught in a FBI sting for accepting bribes from parents who want their children on the show. He is soon replaced by the “squeaky clean”, free from taint of any kind, Sheldon Mopes, and his character, Smoochy the Rhino (Edward Norton). Randolph finds himself unemployed and homeless, virtually outcast from television by his two-faced associate Marion Stokes (Stewart), a slimy TV executive. In an effort to return to his life in the spotlight, Randolph develops several schemes to bring down Sheldon Mopes in hopes to reclaim his timeslot.
When not fighting for creative control, Sheldon tries to maintain a stable relationship with fellow employee Nora Wells (Catherine Keener), who later becomes Sheldon’s love interest. Upon hearing about this relationship, Randolph decides to make it known about the wild times that he and Nora once had, going as far as to comment on how “limber” Nora was. Nora, however, completely denies having any feelings for Rainbow anymore.
In the midst of all that’s happening around him, Mopes engages in shady connections with the Irish mob, as well as a charity run by Merv Green (Harvey Fierstein) that is more imposing than beneficial. The mob, headed by the sympathetic Tommy Cotter (Pam Ferris) confronts Sheldon in his new office, demanding that her cousin, the former pro boxer Spinner, be given a spot on the Smoochy show. Mopes, fearing for his life, accepts the “offer” and puts Spinner on the show. Spinner, after many years of taking blows to the head, is mentally handicapped and speaks like a very loud five-year-old. After a stint in the show playing the cowbell (and giving Tommy a headache), Spinner is placed in the role of Smoochy’s cousin, Moochy the Rhino. Meanwhile, a despondent Randolph is taken in by Angelo (Danny Woodburn), an old co-star during Randolph’s reign as host who now works on Mopes’ show.
The corrupt “Parade of Hope” Foundation comes into play as Burke Bennett (Danny DeVito) purposely bumps into Sheldon – who is drinking orange juice – at a bar. Bennett comes forward with an offer to Sheldon for full executive control of the Smoochy show. Not knowing who Burke is associated with, the naive Mopes accepts. Burke does indeed get Sheldon full creative control, but later that week signs Smoochy up for a touring ice skating show. Sheldon strongly opposes the idea, seeing it as only a way for the company to make more money. Bennett urges Mopes to reconsider, but to no avail. Sheldon is then confronted by charity boss Merv Green (Harvey Fierstein), who twists Sheldon’s arm into doing the ice show. However, Merv’s life is abruptly ended when he orders a hit on Sheldon that results in Spinner getting killed after his Moochy costume is mistaken for the Smoochy costume. Tommy and her crew behead Merv in a story retold to Sheldon, who is aghast.
The ice show goes on, without vendors or corporate interference, with all profits going to charity. Meanwhile, Burke and Stokes hire heroin addict Buggy Ding Dong (Vincent Schiavelli), another former children’s show host, to assassinate Mopes during his ice show. Rainbow Randolph, who ultimately realizes that Sheldon Mopes is a good and honest man, finds out about the plot to kill Smoochy during the show. Randolph rushes to the ice show and stops the assassination by tackling Buggy just as he fires his sniper rifle from the rafters. The bullet intended for his head travels only through his foam rubber horn. Randolph and Buggy struggle for control over the rifle until Buggy falls to his death. After Sheldon realizes that Burke and Stokes set him up, he chases after Burke into an alleyway. Sheldon, enraged for the first time seen, pulls a gun and threatens to kill Burke. Tommy and her men arrive just in time to prevent Sheldon from losing face and take over in ‘taking care’ of Burke. Stokes is also in their captivity and Tommy indicates that they will eliminate Burke and Stokes, getting Sheldon to leave so he does not have to witness it. After a violent outburst, Sheldon finally sees eye to eye with Randolph. The two decide to join forces (with Nora as well) and continue the ice tour together as Rainbow Randolph and Smoochy the Rhino.
Starring :
Robin Williams … Rainbow Randolph
Edward Norton … Sheldon Mopes / Smoochy the Rhino
Catherine Keener … Nora Wells
Danny DeVito … Burke Bennett
Jon Stewart … Marion Frank Stokes
Pam Ferris … Tommy Cotter
Danny Woodburn … Angelo Pike
Michael Rispoli … Spinner Dunn
Harvey Fierstein … Merv Green
Vincent Schiavelli … Buggy Ding Dong
Craig Eldridge … Husband
Judy White … Wife
Tim MacMenamin … Danny
Bruce McFee … Roy
Glen Cross … Jimmy
Director :
Danny DeVito
