The Big Chill (1983)
Every decade has a handful of quintessential dramas that define the mindset of the people. If put into a time capsule for the 1980s, The Big Chill would certainly remind people how suburbanites viewed the world. They’re all white, they’re all privileged, and they’re all self-centered. But since that’s the point of the movie (unless I missed it) it’s okay! If you’re looking for a meatier Lawrence Kasdan masterpiece, you’ll have to wait until the 1990s. Remember the tagline for Grand Canyon?
In The Big Chill, Kevin Costner (whose scenes have been deleted) has died, and all his friends get together in a house for the weekend to grieve and explore their feelings. There have been so many movies that copy this format through the decades, so keep in mind that this one came first when you rent it. There’s the yuppy couple (Glenn Close and Kevin Kline), the unhappy couple (JoBeth Williams and Don Galloway), the childless woman approaching spinsterhood (Mary Kay Place), the actor who realizes he’s getting older (Tom Berenger), the artsy fellow who can’t communicate without his video camera (Jeff Goldblum), the girl who can’t stop stretching and showing her limber limbs (Meg Tilly), and the depressing fellow with plenty of one-liners (William Hurt). Yes, everyone thinks about his or her mortality when a friend dies, and a multitude of emotions will come up. You might find yourself questioning the importance of all the little things you value. You might wonder how solid your marriage is. You might see the value in living on through your children. You might even cry in the shower. (Yes, that’s from this movie.)
This is a film that will speak to people at that stage in life, seem boring to the younger folks, and be called stupid by those old enough to have seen bigger problems come and go. I liked Grand Canyon infinitely better, but that’s probably because the 1990s are more my decade than the 1980s. Rent this classic and see if you like it!
More Kevin Kline movies here!
In The Big Chill, Kevin Costner (whose scenes have been deleted) has died, and all his friends get together in a house for the weekend to grieve and explore their feelings. There have been so many movies that copy this format through the decades, so keep in mind that this one came first when you rent it. There’s the yuppy couple (Glenn Close and Kevin Kline), the unhappy couple (JoBeth Williams and Don Galloway), the childless woman approaching spinsterhood (Mary Kay Place), the actor who realizes he’s getting older (Tom Berenger), the artsy fellow who can’t communicate without his video camera (Jeff Goldblum), the girl who can’t stop stretching and showing her limber limbs (Meg Tilly), and the depressing fellow with plenty of one-liners (William Hurt). Yes, everyone thinks about his or her mortality when a friend dies, and a multitude of emotions will come up. You might find yourself questioning the importance of all the little things you value. You might wonder how solid your marriage is. You might see the value in living on through your children. You might even cry in the shower. (Yes, that’s from this movie.)
This is a film that will speak to people at that stage in life, seem boring to the younger folks, and be called stupid by those old enough to have seen bigger problems come and go. I liked Grand Canyon infinitely better, but that’s probably because the 1990s are more my decade than the 1980s. Rent this classic and see if you like it!
More Kevin Kline movies here!