"Death to Smoochy" focuses on the ever-changing world of children's television shows and, more particularly, the evolution from quality programming to full out commercialism. The film stars Robin Williams as Rainbow Randolph, a children's television show host who loses his job when it's discovered that he's been accepting bribes from local parents who want their kids on his show. Determined to get both his job and the public's respect back, Randolph works day and night to sabotage his replacement, the squeaky-clean Sheldon Mopes (Edward Norton)-- better known to millions as Smoochy the Rhino. But going on "safari" ends up being much harder than Randolph expected, and soon Randolph hasn't just lost his job, his home and his friends, but his sanity as well.
Robin Williams is great as Rainbow Randolph, playing his character so perfectly that viewers won't have any trouble loathing the usually quite lovable comic. While few actors would be able to successfully play the part with just the right amount of hatred so that viewers could understand where the character was coming from without feeling an ounce of sympathy towards him, Williams takes on the challenge with ease. He includes everything from the bulging eyeballs to the sweat beads on his forehead in his performance, helping to trigger the 'this guy's gone nuts' response from the audience that's so desperately needed for the script to work.
Williams' performance is also supported by the fact that Norton's portrayal of Sheldon Mopes is so sweet and honest that viewers will instantly fall in love with (and side with) his character. Norton gives one of the best performances of his career as the face behind Smoochy the Rhino, a character that may seem simple to play but at a closer look is just as complex as Rainbow Randolph. Like Williams, Norton's performance is a balancing act. With his heart of gold, ability to get buzzed off of orange juice and more morals than the Pope attitude, Sheldon Mopes could easily be the type of goody-two-shoes audiences would like to punch in the face. However, Norton never once falls off the tightrope of sincerity into the pit of obnoxiousness. He remains the type of character that audiences will not only cheer for throughout the picture, but also wish that they could become.
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