Okay, pull up a comfy chair, maybe grab a Crystal Pepsi if you can find one (good luck!), because we're checking into a memory palace today – specifically, the luxurious, chaotic, and primate-infested halls of The Majestic Hotel. Yes, we're talking about Dunston Checks In from 1996, a film whose premise alone screams "Only in the 90s!" with the kind of earnest absurdity we just don't see much anymore. Forget nuanced character studies; this was the era where "What if a jewel thief orangutan caused havoc in a fancy hotel?" was apparently a perfectly reasonable pitch.
### Welcome to The Majestic... Mind the Monkey
Picture this: you're Robert Grant, played by Jason Alexander fresh off the peak of his Seinfeld fame, trying desperately to manage the ultra-posh Majestic Hotel and secure that coveted sixth star rating. Your life is already a pressure cooker, juggling demanding guests, hotel politics, and your two young sons, Kyle (Eric Lloyd, whom many will remember fondly from The Santa Clause films) and Brian, who live with you in the hotel. It's a setup ripe for sitcom-level stress. Now, throw in Lord Rutledge, a sneering British jewel thief played with delightful relish by Rupert Everett, who uses his highly trained orangutan, Dunston, as his furry, four-handed accomplice. When Dunston decides he’s had enough of the criminal life and makes a break for it, befriending young Kyle in the process, well… let's just say the hotel's pursuit of that sixth star hits a few snags. Banana peels, even.
The sheer concept is wonderfully goofy, a throwback to live-action Disney comedies of a bygone era, but plopped right into the mid-90s. The director, Ken Kwapis, might be better known today for his extensive work on beloved TV shows like The Office and Malcolm in the Middle, but here he orchestrates a symphony of escalating slapstick within the elegant confines of what was actually the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. It’s a classic "chaos erupts in a contained environment" setup, and while it’s hardly groundbreaking, there’s a certain comfort in its familiar rhythm.
### A Cast That Raises Eyebrows (and Champagne Glasses)
The casting itself is part of the film's peculiar charm. Jason Alexander leans into the harried, put-upon energy he perfected as George Costanza, making Robert a relatable vortex of anxiety amidst the escalating madness. You genuinely feel for the guy trying to keep everything from literally falling apart. Rupert Everett, pre-My Best Friend's Wedding fame, is clearly having a blast as the cartoonishly evil Lord Rutledge, delivering lines like "Catch the monkey, kill the boys" with a pantomime villainy that’s more amusing than menacing. And then there's the legendary Faye Dunaway as the hotel's exacting owner, Mrs. Dubrow.
Yes, you read that right. Faye Dunaway. Oscar winner for Network (1976), star of Chinatown (1974) and Bonnie and Clyde (1967)... in a movie about a runaway orangutan. It's the kind of casting decision that makes you blink and check the VHS box again. Reportedly, she took the role partly for her young son, but whatever the reason, she commits fully, bringing a formidable presence that makes the eventual primate-induced indignities she suffers even funnier. Let's not forget a brilliant cameo from Paul Reubens (Pee-wee Herman himself!) as the over-the-top animal control specialist, La Farge, adding another layer of quirky energy.
### The Real Star and Retro Fun Facts
Of course, the undisputed heart of the film is Dunston himself, portrayed primarily by a talented orangutan named Sam. Sam wasn't just any animal actor; he had quite the career, appearing later in films like Babe: Pig in the City (1998) and Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes (2001). Working with a real primate provided genuine moments of connection, particularly in Dunston's scenes with Eric Lloyd's Kyle, that CGI often struggles to replicate. The physical comedy involving Dunston – swinging from chandeliers, causing mayhem in the kitchen, posing as a guest – relies heavily on Sam's training (by seasoned Hollywood animal trainer Larry Madrid) and the clever integration of practical effects and strategic editing. You can almost feel the controlled chaos on set trying to get those shots.
Despite the star power and the high-concept premise, Dunston Checks In didn't exactly set the box office alight. Made on a reported budget of $16 million, it grossed just under $10 million domestically, making it something of a financial disappointment for 20th Century Fox. Critics at the time weren't particularly kind either (it currently holds a less-than-majestic 30% on Rotten Tomatoes). But box office numbers and critical consensus rarely tell the whole story when it comes to nostalgic affection, do they? For kids growing up in the 90s, stumbling upon this on VHS or cable, it was likely a perfectly enjoyable romp. The tagline captured it perfectly: "He's about to turn a five star hotel into a three-ring circus."
### Checking Out with Fond Memories
Watching Dunston Checks In today is like opening a time capsule. It’s undeniably formulaic, the plot is thinner than a complimentary hotel napkin, and some of the slapstick feels engineered rather than organic. Yet, there’s an undeniable warmth and innocence to it. It comes from a time when family films weren't afraid to be unabashedly silly, relying on physical comedy, charming animal actors, and the simple appeal of a kid finding an extraordinary friend. Jason Alexander holds the chaos together admirably, and the sheer novelty of seeing Faye Dunaway navigate monkey business provides a unique viewing pleasure.
It’s not a masterpiece, not by a long shot. It’s not even top-tier 90s family fare. But it possesses a certain goofy charm, a relic of a specific moment in filmmaking where this kind of story felt completely normal. It’s the sort of movie you’d happily rent from Blockbuster on a Friday night, watch with a bowl of popcorn, and mostly forget by Monday, but remembering it now brings a faint, fond smile.
VHS Heaven Rating: 6/10
Justification: The rating reflects the film's undeniable flaws – a weak script and predictable plot – but acknowledges its genuine moments of fun, the impressive work with the animal actor, the committed performances (especially the novelty of Dunaway and Everett having a ball), and its status as a charmingly dated piece of 90s nostalgia. It delivers exactly what it promises – silly, primate-centric chaos – reasonably well, earning it a slightly above-average score for pure, unadulterated retro comfort viewing.
Final Thought: Dunston Checks In might not have earned that sixth star, but for a dose of uncomplicated 90s silliness featuring Hollywood royalty and a surprisingly expressive orangutan, it’s definitely worth revisiting for a night. Just maybe check under the room service cloche before lifting it.