RV

Who: Bill and Melanie
What: RV
Where: Watched it on TBS
Why: It stars Robin Williams

RV (aka Runaway Vacation) is a surprisingly good comedy-- and that’s because critics rated it poorly upon its release in 2006. So when we saw that it was airing recently on TBS, we didn’t have high expectations but wanted to see it anyway. After all, it features Robin Williams, so there had be at least a few good laughs. Certainly the premise and the comedic situations are silly at best, but then no one likely set out to make this a thought-provoking movie anyway!


Beverage company executive Bob Munro (Williams) convinces his somewhat dysfunctional family that rather than vacation in Hawaii as planned, they would be better off renting a motor home and travel to the Colorado Rockies. What he doesn’t tell them is that he is expected to be in Colorado to help with an important business presentation. From the moment the Munro’s leave their driveway, its one mishap after another as Bob races to make it to the presentation in time-- again, all without telling his family. Along the way, the Munro’s meet up with another camping family, the Gornicke’s, whom they initially dislike, but eventually bond as friends. At the same time, the Munro family itself make amends among themselves. The comedy comes from what they go through to get to that point.

While RV is never likely to be considered a comedic masterpiece, it does boast some impressive talent in addition to Williams. Cheryl Hines plays Jaime Hines, Jeff Daniels is Travis Gornicke and Kristen Chenowith is Mary Jo Gornicke. The movie was directed by Barry Sonnenfield, who also co-produced Disney’s Enchanted.

RV is one of those movies that is sure to become a cable TV mainstay on weekend afternoons and evenings, and is worth catching for two hours of fun with Robin Williams.