SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped

Limerculer A waste of 90 minutes of my life

Chirphymium It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

Bessie Smyth Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

Scott LeBrun Pleasant enough Goldie Hawn vehicle (which the star also executive produced) is seen as a politically-oriented variation on her best known film, "Private Benjamin". Goldie plays Sunny Davis, a cheerful, if not terribly savvy, nightclub waitress who manages to prevent an assassination one night. A grateful U.S. of A. rewards her with a meaningless job, although soon it is revealed that her new employers have an agenda. They aim to use her to mollify a Middle Eastern ruler (Richard Romanus), because they want to build a military base in his country.So-so material has its moments, but overall it's a rather mild satire. It's never as funny as one might like, and even gets corny by the end when the filmmakers go for a rather Capra-esque resolution. The biggest set piece is a lively party thrown at Sunny's old workplace in order to show Romanus a good time.Still, Goldie is extremely appealing as always. Her bright personality helps to smooth over any flaws in the plot. She's assisted by an excellent supporting cast, just FULL of familiar faces. The handsome Chris Sarandon of "Fright Night" and "Child's Play" fame is her love interest, a specialist in Middle Eastern affairs. Gail Strickland, Cliff De Young, Keith Szarabajka, and Ed Begley Jr. play various shady Washington types. Andre Gregory is amusing in the role of Romanus' chief adviser. Keep your eyes peeled for Amanda Bearse ('Married...with Children') on a TV monitor; John Ratzenberger ('Cheers') has an uncredited cameo as a security guard being interviewed.Scripted by writer / actor Buck Henry, based on a story by Charles Shyer, Nancy Meyers, and Harvey Miller. Shyer, Meyers, and Miller had previously written "Private Benjamin", so the studio was probably hoping that lightning would strike twice."Protocol" isn't a prime Goldie vehicle, but if you're a fan, you'll still want to see it. Six out of 10.

Lee Eisenberg I have no doubt that "Protocol" is intended as a silly comedy, with Goldie Hawn playing her usual role as the ditzy blonde. However, this is one of those movies intended as a silly comedy that now looks more serious. After Hawn's loopy waitress saves a Middle Eastern emir from an assassination, she becomes the national sweetheart. Her relatable, charismatic demeanor endears her to almost everyone, and she gets a job in the State Department, despite having barely any idea what the job entails. This reflects the tendency to turn any "likable" person into a celebrity, regardless of qualification or intelligence. Elia Kazan's 1957 movie "A Face in the Crowd" (starring Andy Griffith as an "average Joe" who becomes a demagogue) also looked at this. The mess that we've made of the Middle East only adds to the movie's newfound seriousness.Or maybe that's just my interpretation. On its own, the movie is pretty silly, with lines like "Washington, DC, is the best place to get shot in the ass". Among the more toe-curling aspects of the movie is the casting of pasty white Andre Gregory (of "My Dinner with Andre" fame) as a functionary from the Middle Eastern country.Other than that, the movie's OK. The party in the restaurant looked fun. The rest of the cast includes Chris Sarandon (Prince Humperdinck in "The Princess Bride"), Ed Begley Jr, and Kenneth Mars (the police chief in "Young Frankenstein").As for Hawn's character's speech to congress, it poses one question: can we the people act as guardians of democracy?

cdthornton 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.

moonspinner55 The very first scene of "Protocol" is all wrong: Goldie Hawn (again playing a sweet ditz) holds up traffic on a busy Washington, D.C. street when her car breaks down. Not only has her engine blown but she can't get out of the car because the door is also broken. Who wrote this? Buck Henry?!! Hard to believe, but it gets worse. Hawn saves a Middle Eastern leader from being assassinated and becomes the toast of the town--but only until jealous and nefarious White House insiders attempt to make her look foolish. Goldie Hawn only looks foolish when she's required to act too dippy for her age, but I cannot think of any "young" actress who could've gotten away with this role either. Early on there's a bouncy press-conference sequence with many funny lines, but too often the script is loaded down with groaners. An uncontrolled party scene near the finish brings everything to a screeching halt, with characters we don't like acting even more moronic than usual. It nearly makes "Private Benjamin" look like Shakespeare. ** from ****