Protocol

source: Protocol

I originally wanted to see this movie because of the clip of Goldie Hawn pulling a camel through the dessert saying, "I got a camel! I got a camel!" Apparently that scene was cut from the movie, which is too bad, but really doesn't cut down on the movie's enjoyability. Protocol focuses on Sunny Davis (Goldie Hawn), a young woman who is barely scraping by working as a cocktail waitress in Washington, DC. She drives an old clunker of a car that breaks down more than it runs, and rents a small room from a gay couple (Joel Brooks and Jerry Haines). One day fate intervenes when Sunny is part of a crowd watching the arrival of the Emir of Otar (Richard Romanus). Sunny notices a man pulling out a gun to shoot the Emir, and she immediately acts to stop him, ending up with a bullet in her rear end. Of course, she immediately makes the news, and comes to the notice of the US government, who immediately installs the now national heroine in a job at the state department. While there, she meets Michael Ransome (Chris Sarandon) a man who is impressed by her honesty and charmed by her naiveté, and sparks fly. Sunny also comes to the notice of the Emir himself, who decides he wants her to be part of his harem. The ambassador to Otar (Gail Strickland), who is also Sunny's boss, arranges for Sunny to go on a "diplomatic mission" to Otar (a fictitious country whose name is a combination Oman and Qatar, two very real countries on the Arabian Peninsula). While there, Sunny discovers what her intended fate is, which doesn't exactly thrill her, however, she has more pressing concerns when the Emir is overthrown in a coup. Upon returning to the states, Sunny is called upon to testify before congress about her role in the newly revealed scandal. She is advised on what to say to protect both herself and the state department, but Sunny has a few ideas of her own, and with Sunny, it's always best to expect the unexpected. It's a rather cute movie, and pretty believably put together. Sunny certainly lives up to her name, and her bubbly personality hides a pretty impressive brain - she actually memorizes the code of conduct for State Department Employees, and recites the paragraph that tells her what she should do when the Emir tries to give her a car. And Sunny's annoyance at being treated like a pawn (or worse a prostitute) in relations with the Emir is quite believable. But of course, the most fun in the film is all the mayhem Sunny gets herself and those around her into due to her lack of understanding how diplomatic protocol works. In the end, her naiveté is a refreshing change for almost all who deal with her. The acting was also quite good. Hawn easily carries the film, and is believable both as the bubbly airhead, and as the woman who finally grows up and learns to take accountability for her part in the scandal. Sarandon makes a nice romantic lead, and his chemistry with Hawn is excellent. Strickland also does a nice job as the cynical Washington operative who is continually foiled by a young woman who continually exceeds her expectations. It's definitely a product of its time, especially in its attitudes towards the Arab world, but in terms of giving us a story where a downtrodden person finally reaches their potential, it's a fun movie, and one well worth watching.

Protocol is a poor attempt at comedy with Capraesque aspirations. Goldie Hawn plays Sunny, a ditsy cocktail waitress in a sleazy bar who becomes a national heroine after inadvertently saving the life of a visiting Arab Emir and getting shot in the butt for her troubles. The Emir takes a fancy to Sunny and the US administration wants to establish a military base in his region. The State Department plan to allow the Emir to claim Sunny as his wife. They conspire to offer Sunny a job within the Protocol Department of the Government. The film is slap dash and Goldie's charm is wearing thin here. She is supposed to be a blonde bimbo but pretty soon she comes across as sharp as a cookie with an inkling that the State Department are up to something. The Arab men are all sleazy stereotypes lusting after blonde white women. Even when they speak Arabic it sounds gibberish. There is a party scene set in the bar Hawn used to work in and every cliché walks in to the bar, S&M couples, bikers, gay guys, Japanese businessmen, everyone is having a great time and soon descends into farce because the film has just run out of ideas and cojones to take a satirical bite on US foreign policy When the penny drops and Sunny realises that she is being used it then becomes more akin to Mr Smith goes to Washington but by then it just becomes mawkish as the comedy has run out of gas.

What does the " Executive producer " do in a movie . If I remember correctly it's the person who raised the financial backing to make the movie . You might notice in a great number of movies starring Sean Connery that he is also the executive producer which meant Connery himself raised the money since he is a major player . Unfortunately it should also be pointed out that a great number of movies " starring Sean Connery were solely made because he managed to raise the money since he's a major Hollywood player , it's usually an indication that when the credits read that the executive producer and the star of the movie are one and the same the movie itself is nothing more than a star vehicle with the story/screenplay not being up to scratch PROTOCOL follows the saga of one Sunny Davis a kooky bimboesque cocktail waitress who saves a visiting dignitary and as a reward gets made a top diplomat . Likely ? As things progress Ms Davis ( Who has problems being able to string two sentences together ) finds herself in more outlandish and less likely situations . When I say that PROTOCOL stars Goldie Hawn who is also the film's executive producer do you understand what I'm saying about the story/screenplay not being up to scratch ? Exactly

The only good thing about this movie was the shot of Goldie Hawn standing in her little french cut bikini panties and struggling to keep a dozen other depraved women from removing her skimpy little cotton top while she giggled and cooed. Ooooof! Her loins rival those of Nina Hartley. This movie came out when I was fourteen and that shot nearly killed me. I'd forgotten about it all tucked away in the naughty Roladex of my mind until seeing it the other day on TV, where they actually blurred her midsection in that scene, good grief, reminding me what a smokin' hottie of a woman Goldie Hawn was in the '80s. Kurt Russell must have had a fun life.

Unlike many 1980s Hollywood comedies, "Protocol" has all but been forgotten today. It doesn't take very long upon watching it to figure out why. The main problem is simple: the script. It's hard to believe at first that Buck Henry, who earlier wrote humorous movies such as "The Graduate" and "What's Up Doc?", wrote this movie. But it doesn't seem to have been his fault, since he was working with a story outline written by THREE writers. Those three writers came up with a story that has been done many times before and since, concerning a ditz who is pushed into a position of power but proves in the end to be smarter than everyone thought. Oh, it could have been made to be funny, but it isn't, partly due to the predicable nature of the movie, but that it's been directed with a woeful lack of energy and snap. There's also a curious fragmented narrative at times, as if some key linking scenes were never filmed or cut out in the editing room. The only good thing about the movie is Goldie Hawn, who gives her character a good amount of spunk and sympathy, but it isn't enough to save things.

I saw this movie on Comedy Central a few times. This movie was pretty good. It's an interesting adventure with the life of Sunny Davis, who is arranged to marry the king of Ohtar, so that the U.S. can get an army base there to balance power in the Middle East. Some good jokes, including "Sunnygate." I also just loved the ending theme. It gave me great political spirit. Ten out of ten was my rating for this movie.

I like Goldie Hawn and wanted another one of her films, so when I saw Protocol for $5.50 at Walmart I purchased it. Although mildly amusing, the film never really hits it a stride. Some scenes such as a party scene in a bar just goes on for too long and really has no purpose. Then, of course, there is the preachy scene at the end of the film which gives the whole film a bad taste as far as I'm concerned. I don't think this scene added to the movie at all. I don't like stupid comedies trying to teach me a lesson, written by some '60's burn out especially! In the end, although I'm glad to possess another Hawn movie, I'm not sure it was really worth the money I paid for it!

Make that that 9.5! I loved this movie! My only complaints are that two or three scenes tended to out-stay their welcome and went on just a bit too long and that the sound recording in one or two places was a little low. It shouldn't be necessary to adjust the sound controls once you set them when the movie starts. But these are mere quibbles. There are so many good things about this delightfully expensive and expansive movie that I prefer to concentrate on aspects like the marvelous performance Goldie Hawn delivers, and indeed the astute playing of the whole cast. The script provides a tremendous line-up of socko characters and intriguing situations which are splendidly directed by Herbert Ross of all people. Frankly, I thought that a movie with such a huge cast and so many powerful scenes would be a bit beyond Herbert's capabilities, but he has risen to the challenge magnificently. Even the extras play their two or three seconds roles with remarkable charisma, and yet they don't steal anything from Miss Hawn. True, Buck Henry and others have provided a great script with plenty of laughs and a huge line-up of characters -- plus a few critical ploys and stings that put our politicians in a far less favorable light than the usual cow- towing Hollywood movie. I also thought the music score surely deserved recognition as one of the best of the year. In fact, all the credits were magnificent in this "comedy" that delivers plenty of stings. I'm not surprised that many people don't like it. Why not? Because they realize that they themselves are one of the script's main targets.

A pretty average movie but a brave one from Ms Hawn to promote this vehicle as Exec Producer & as a starring vehicle. Although she ends up vindicated, she is willing to portray herself as the dizzy bimbo. How many other A listed actresses have subjected themselves to butt injury pratfalls since this movie? Not many. Does this mean the female butt cannot be funny? Goldie surpasses other actresses as she has maintained a screen persona & ventures in projects other won't. Sandra Bullock occasionally goes there,for example, Miss Congeniality but Nicole Kidman would never cop the pratfall. A wonderful performer. Great to see some of my favorite actors, Chris Sarandon & Cliff DeYoung notably.