The Big Chill




Amazing tradition. They throw a great party for you on the one day they know you can't come.

Often, high ideals are embraced before one goes out into the real world. How well these ideals hold up over time is an interesting subject that The Big Chill delves into.

After the suicide of one of their college buddies from the 60's, seven friends get reacquainted when they attend his funeral and spend the weekend together. They're not the most diverse group, and for the most part they have all made their mark in the world, albeit not always in the way they would have thought.

Lawrence Kasdan's knack for ensemble direction all started here. He was the hot screenwriter of classics such as The Empire Strikes Back and Raiders of the Lost Ark. The characters he creates have been around the block a time or two, and this reunion gives them a chance to look at the deeper issues in their lives. Although, these issues don't come up as much as you'd think and a lot of the action takes place beneath the surface. Indeed, additional layers can be gleaned from repeat viewings. It's the little things in this movie that really add up to culminate into something great.

A variety of topics are tackled, not the least of them pertaining to their friend's suicide. Some of the people have very different outlooks, and that controversy is actually what prompted Kasdan to write this, as it produces a chill down the spine. Though the initial impact of the film isn't staggering, it does leave you wanting more of these people who are meticulously presented to us at their best and worst. But what really matters is the lasting impact The Big Chill makes.

It takes a little bit to get all the characters straight, but superb handling is shown in keeping them all balanced and believable. It's difficult to distinguish any specific performance because they all nail their characters. This isn't a flat out presentation of a specific generation, but it is interesting how the gap is presented between the friends and Chloe (Meg Tilly), the ex girlfriend of the departed.

Few movies really stick with you like this one. It has its moments all accompanied to some great period tunes.



-The Gnome