Radio Lady Reviews the Movie: 'R.V.' with Robin Williams

[Radio_Lady]

First, let me advise you that I will never camp out in an R.V. I just thought it fair to advise you of these issues prior to reading my review.

In the past, I've toured the inside of recreational vehicles and thought, "Goodness! This is nice, but I'd rather stay in a hotel or just stay home!" It's just a bias, folks, but I felt the need to confess. Even my mother used to say, "A vacation for a woman is just a change of sink." Add to that, a change of toilet, shower (if available) a tiny bedroom, and tiny kitchen and -- well -- you have the idea.

Mom never camped and rarely got a chance to go to hotels. However, I'm spoiled. My idea of vacationing is staying at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City -- or other Hilton hotels. Even better, we're always willing to luxuriate at scrumptious timeshare villas around the world.

So, unlike other reviewers, I found 'R.V.' a delightfully funny fantasy! Don't get me wrong; 'R.V.' is pretty typical summer fare and another road trip, but that's a good thing. The difference is that the movie 'R.V.' has a bouncy although somewhat unbelievable script. The things that really saves it? It's well cast with Robin Williams (he's best known as voice of "The Genie" in 'Alladin' in case you've been living on another planet), and Cheryl Hines (she plays Larry David's wife on HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm). Also included in the fun is Jeff Daniels (who is looking much more dapper these days after a shave and a haircut unavailable to him in "The Squid and the Whale"), and Kristen Chenoweth (a gal with an amazing singing voice and enough pizzazz to pull off this Southern female talker-and-charmer role) plus several other supporting characters both young and old.

Although the story is certainly hokey, I thought that the comedy held its own throughout its 98 minutes. There were quite a few laughs and the whole thing moves along at a great rate. Yes, there is a sequence about 'R.V.' waste removal that goes awry. Director Barry Sonnenfeld will probably be bashed for his participation in this venture, but I don't agree. He gets a lot out of the simple plot -- and there IS a plot, with a beginning, a middle, and an ending. (How many films are totally lacking in those script areas these days?) As for the stunts and whatever computer work they required, that's pretty amazing.

Maybe I'm just a sucker for family bonding trips that turn out OK. The trips our family took -- usually just over the border from Massachusetts to New Hampshire's mountains -- or down to Cape Cod in bumper-to-bumper traffic -- were frequently a disaster. At one point, I vowed never to do them again. However, we had five kids of various ages from two different "blended" families. Maybe it's a bit better in a "nuclear" family, but that could be a figment of my imagination, too!

There is one movie reservation I keep wishing would go away. This is another American film supposed to be about Los Angeles and Colorado. Just like so many others, the exteriors of the film were shot primarily in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, Canada. Oh, well, if 'Brokeback Mountain' could substitute Canada for Wyoming, I guess this one can, too. More power to the Canadian groups that support filmmaking in their country. They certainly seem to make the allure so potent that few film companies can resist it. The scenery is certainly beautiful, I must admit, but the photos of unknown country and cityscapes usually throw me for a loop. If you want to read more about Canadian film enterprise, go to the Cinema of Canada site http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinema_of_Canada">here.

Question: I'd particularly like to know where the scene in the 'R.V.' camp takes place -- the one that looks like a meteor crater or the surface of the moon. If you can tell me, please post here! I'd like to see that sometime.

Keep in mind that taking a REAL trip like this may be VERY expensive this year unless you are buying your gasoline directly from some rich sheik in the Middle East. Sheesh --

I'm giving 'R.V.' this film a "C+" on Ellen's Entertainment Report Card. As usual, your mileage may vary.

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HERE'S WHERE YOU DO THE REVIEW! Your comments are welcome -- and they may be read on my radio program while the film is playing around the country. Thank you.

[azmouse]

1. I havent' seen the movie (and probably won't) but

I was wondering about the scene you mentioned that looked like the moon.
Did it look like this?


This is called Barringer Meteor Crater and it's located AZ.
It's used in a lot of movies including Starman.

[Radio_Lady]

2. Thanks for posting this. The Internet Movie Database does not

list Barringer Meteor Crater as a filming location. I assumed the location was somewhere in Canada. The only U.S. location is Los Angeles -- and I know this isn't Knotts Berry Farm or those famous tar pits!

This what IMDB says:

Filming Locations for R.V. (2006)

Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada

Los Angeles, California, USA

Milk River, Alberta, Canada

Mt. Seymour Provincial Park, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Rainier, Alberta, Canada

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

[azmouse]

3. Interesting to know there are other meteor sites.

I'd like to know where they are too. Meteor craters are fascinating.

[Radio_Lady]

4. Well, here's a couple of web sites:

http://www.unb.ca/passc/ImpactDatabase/NAmerica.html

http://www.morien-institute.org/impact_craters.html

I was thinking it was Wolfe Creek (where some scary movie was shot last year) but that's in AUSTRALIA!

[Radio_Lady]

5. Wow! This site is busy! Anyone want to discuss the movie!

OK by me if your answer is 'no'!

[Radio_Lady]

6. A few mentions of the Amboy Crater in southern California --

Link is here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1074195&mesg_id=1074195