Protocol
A guileless waitress becomes an unlikely diplomatic sensation when Washington turns her accidental heroism into a high-stakes political mission.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- breezy
- irreverent
- lazy sunday
- lighthearted movie night
What critics said
Critics generally found Goldie Hawn's lively, intelligent performance and Buck Henry's comic writing appealing, but considered the contrived political moralism, broad slapstick, and borrowed formula uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Sunny moves from nightclub waitress to State Department recruit and diplomatic pawn while influential officials attempt to control her public image.
Officials exploit Sunny's accidental heroism and stage her diplomatic role to secure an American military base.
Sunny's supposedly clueless comments charm the press, while her directness ultimately disrupts the plans of more sophisticated diplomats.
The White House, State Department, press attention, and diplomatic negotiations frame the story's comic institutional world.
Films like Protocol, and why
Born Yesterday
shared screwball comedy, fish out of water protagonist, political satire, and warm underdog energy
Private Benjamin
shared goldie hawn comic persona, reluctant heroine, military and institutional satire, and broad comedy
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
shared capraesque populism, ordinary citizen confronting political power, and idealistic comedy
The Mouse That Roared
shared political farce, diplomatic intrigue, fish out of water humor, and romantic comedy elements
Movie Details
- Director
- Herbert Ross
- Release Date
- 1984-12-21
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 5.5 / 10 (99)
Cast
- Goldie Hawn
- Chris Sarandon
- Richard Romanus
- Andre Gregory
- Gail Strickland
- Cliff DeYoung
- Keith Szarabajka
- Ed Begley Jr.
- James Staley
- Kenneth Mars
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Protocol about?
- A guileless waitress becomes an unlikely diplomatic sensation when Washington turns her accidental heroism into a high-stakes political mission.
- What is Protocol like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Protocol as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Protocol violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Protocol as mild.
- What did critics think of Protocol?
- Critics generally found Goldie Hawn's lively, intelligent performance and Buck Henry's comic writing appealing, but considered the contrived political moralism, broad slapstick, and borrowed formula uneven.
- Which films are like Protocol?
- Films with a similar feel include Born Yesterday, Private Benjamin, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and The Mouse That Roared.
- How long is Protocol?
- Protocol runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch Protocol?
- In United States, Protocol is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
