The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Comic genius goes on an insipid trip

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jul 09, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Comic genius goes on an insipid trip

R.V.: Runaway Vacation (English)

Cast: Robin Williams, Jeff Daniels, Cheryl Hines

Director: Barry Sonnenfeld

It's always quite depressing to see one of your childhood heroes fall from grace. Robin Williams might not have been anyone's hero, but he certainly was everybody's favourite clown. And in our convoluted world, the court jester often carries as much of a burden as the valiant knight. But with "R.V", Williams proves that it is finally time for someone else to take over the reins.

Bob Munro (Robin Williams) is forced to cancel his dysfunctional family's vacation to Hawaii because his boss wants him in Colorado for an important meeting.

To make up for the disappointment, he tricks his wife Jamie (Cheryl Hines), daughter Cassie (Joanna 'JoJo' Levesque) and son Carl (Josh Hutcherson) into taking a road trip to Colorado in a recreational vehicle. The rest of the plot follows the most predictable lines you can think of.

There isn't much to complain about "R.V.", aside from family values portrayed melodramatically and faecal matter that feature prominently. While these induce revulsion, there is thankfully enough that steers clear of both.

Williams is mildly funny throughout most of the film, particularly in moments when he is not trying to be the comic genius he once was, while his motley crew of cast members pulls off an admirable job of not appearing like animatronic robots moving about in the film.

Sadly, however, there isn't much to say in favour of the film. After all, Williams's inner child seems to have grown up a long time ago, leaving only the outside shell of an aged actor past his prime.

Jeff Daniels is the only source of relief, making occasional appearances that manage to lighten up the mood ever so briefly.

As for the rest, it is too mediocre to merit discussion.

At the end of it all, one wonders why precious money gets pumped into a project as insipid as "R.V." , and how little it costs for Williams to sell his soul.

Rakesh Mehar

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