Directed by: Barry Sonnenfeld
Written by: Geoff Rodkey
Starring: Robin Williams, Cheryl Hines, Joanna Levesque, Josh Hutcherson, Jeff Daniels, Kristin Chenoweth
Released: June 1, 2006
Grade: C+

RV is a family road trip flick in a similar vein to the popular National Lampoon’s Vacation series.  Bob Munro (Williams) is working hard to secure a promotion at work but it’s come at a cost.  He’s hardly at home, isn’t spending quality time with his wife Jamie (Hines) and hardly sees his two children, Cassie (Levesque) and Carl (Hutcherson).  He was hoping that a long overdue family holiday to Hawaii would help fix some of these problems.

Unfortunately, Bob’s demanding boss has asked that he deliver an important presentation to a potential client in Colorado at the end of the week.  The holiday to Hawaii must be cancelled.  Struggling to break the news to his family, Bob comes up with a cunning compromise.  The family won’t go to Hawaii but instead will rent an RV and travel together to Colorado.

The Munros go through an assortment of RV related adventures en route.  They meet a crazy family (led by Jeff Daniels) who they can’t seem to shake off.  They crash the RV on numerous occasions (I can only hope they took out insurance).  They battle with wild raccoons, rocky roads and toilet waste.  Will it help them come together as a family?  Maybe not in reality but certainly in this film.

Robin Williams heads the cast but I was more interested in seeing Cheryl Hines on screen.  It’s the biggest role in a film she’s had to date.  I’m a fan of Hines because of her work on Curb Your Enthusiasm, a hilarious television series written by and starring Larry David (a creator of Seinfeld).  Another cast member worth pointing out is 13-year-old Josh Hutcherson.  He’s on a roll and is fast becoming one of the best child actors in the business after his performances in Zathura and Little Manhattan (released earlier this year).

I’ve gotten this far without mentioning what I think of the film.  It’s proving difficult because I didn’t have any expectations going in and didn’t feel much at all when walking out.  This may be an adventure film but the subject material and jokes aren’t at all adventurous.  If you like original comedy then sorry, I can’t recommend RV.  You’ll chuckle a few times but that’s as much as I can promise.