Customer Reviews

Protocol [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Goldie Hawn portrays the delightful Sunny Davis in this quirky movie. Sunny is a cocktail waitress that always seems to be on intimate terms with Murphy. Anything that can usually does go wrong for her. When she sees a man with a gun, and thwarts his plans, it is revealed later that an assassination was going to take place. Sunny has saved the Emir, and in the process takes a bullet in the tush. She is turned into a media darling overnight. A grateful government gives her a job in the protocol office, but that is only what appears to be on the surface. The Emir has decided that he wants Sunny for his next wife, and thus a deal is struck. When Sunny discovers what her government has done on her behalf, Washington will never be the same. I enjoyed Goldie and Chris Sarandon. They have chemistry, and great comedic timing.

This is an offbeat little film that showcases the ever adorable Goldie Hawn, who plays a cocktail waitress thrust into the spotlight when she singlehandedly thwarts an assassination attempt on a visiting Emir from a strategically placed, Middle Eastern country. Having taken a bullet in the butt during her heroic fight with the gunman, she becomes a media darling overnight, as she is a breath of fresh air. The media and the public gobble her up, while the White House staff, aware of her effect on the public, hire her to work in the protocul office. Unbeknownst to her, she is being used politically, and has been underestimated by the staff with whom she works. When she becomes aware of what is going on, she turns Washington on its head, and, in the process, completely changes her life. Good things do happen to good people. A cute movie, with a good cast, though not that many laughs.

I thought this movie was very funny. It pokes fun at the world of politics with a light irreverance that doesn't bite. I teach High School English and one of the hardesth things to do is get the students interested in what is going on in the world around them. This movie will make you think about the things that you take for granted. I highly reccomend it.

If you want deep emotion and political insight, this is not the movie for you. This is not Wag the Dog, and who cares if it is nothing like the Monica Lewinksy affair? It is fun, with lots of detail and hidden jokes, and entertaining for at least an hour and a half. Goldie shines in her usual way, and you'll be surprised at some of the cameos and supporting characters. Although it has been much maligned, it is still worth a look and a few laughs.

Goldie accidently saves a middle-eastern politician from a gunshot,and is suddenly thrusted into the media,becomes a media darling,and hired on by the U.S. Govt.,who try to "sell" her(without her knowledge) to the man she helped save,to become one of his MANY wives,in exchange for some Nuclear bombs. Not only does this film take shots at the stupidity of the media,and the shaddy dealings of our own Government, it is an abosolutly funny funny movie! Goldie is HILLARIOUS as Sunny Davis,cocktail waitress,turned media hero. One of my all-time fave Goldie Hawn movies,this one's a definate keeper! HIGHLY RECCOMeNDED

Love it..
Cute Sweet Goldie at her finest..

Semi sorta queer in it's throw back to cute build up of love but just a sweet movie that most should/could adore

In her classic somewhat dizzy but always likeable role, Goldie Hawn plays Sunny Davis, an unassuming, average gal who happens to stumble into some unbelievable circumstances. Sunny is a cocktail waitress in Washington, DC, who while standing outside watching a crowd scene, happens to be standing next to a guy who pulls a gun. In an act of heroics, she grabs the gun and thwarts his attempt on an Arab royal. She becomes a media darling afterward, appearing on many covers of magazines and being praised for her act. A government department, in an effort to cash in on this gal's 15 minutes, invites her to become a representative of the Washington Protocol department, preforming acts of international diplomacy. She bungles through much of it, but approaches things with a sense of humor and brings a lightheartedness to the otherwise stuffy parties and duties. In an odd twist, Sunny was unknowningly promised to the Emir whose life she saved as a wife. She is then traded to him in exchange for military supplies and loyalty. A rather quirky movie that had always been in my favorite list.

While the humor is obvious (fish out of water, culture and class conflict, etc.), there are some lessons to be learned. Sunny is and all American gal who doesn't know much about the world she lives in. Indeed, when she is brought before a committee to investigate the goings on of her trade to the Emir, she spells it out by saying that she is responsible for all the problems. She bought all the fame and fortune and glam without knowing what she was getting. She never read the paper, never read the Declaration of Independence before taking some visiting dignitaries to see it, and never watched the news. She wasn't concerned with those things. But once she was thrust into the middle of it, she suddenly was. How many of us will end up in this situation? Very few. But we do owe it to ourselves to be more informed and see the forest from the trees. Perhaps her example will serve for some change.

The 1984 movie Protocol comes from the school of political films such as Guarding Tess and Dave. These films all strip Washington politics to the bare bones and allow gentle satire and wit to rub elbows with the American political machine.

As a comedy, Protocol does have its moments, though Dave garners the most laughs. As a demonstration of pure acting ability, stick with Guarding Tess. Why then should someone plunk hard-earned bucks down on a movie such as Protocol?

Goldie Hawn is a cultural icon and gives any movie she appears in some basic worth. Buck Henry, who is known for early Saturday Night Live appearances, directing Heaven Can Wait, and the screenplay for the Owl and the Pussycat, wrote the screenplay for Protocol. Herbert Ross, who directed The Goodbye Girl, sits in the director's chair. Most importantly, those who fondly remember any of the above mentioned names will appreciate the blast from the past that Protocol represents.

Without giving away too much of the film's surprises, Goldie plays a ditzy character who finds herself doing the right thing at the wrong time. In this particular case, she inadvertently saves the life of a visiting Arab political figure. Apparent gratitude from the U.S. government eventually lands Hawn's character a position on the White House's protocol team. There, Goldie finds herself to be basically a pawn. In her own abnormal fashion, Goldie proves that pawns can, in fact, win the game.

One special historical note is brought forth through viewing Protocol in a post-Sept. 11th world. Hollywood's portrayal of Arabs has uniquely changed during the years since Protocol originally played in theaters across America.

A great feel good movie. Except that the quality of the DVD. It flickers threw the first hour. I think they could have put more effort in the manufacturing.

i personally love goldie hawn movies and this one was cute. yes there are alot of things that are rediculous and orientalist towards muslims and the middle east but if you can look past that, and not take it seriously, since they make fun of many races and the u.s. as well, it's good.
i love what she says about the declaration of independence at the end. the end of the movie SPOILER when the go abroad, not so great though.