frankwiener Every time I write a negative review for IMDb, I have to brace myself for negative feedback, sometimes in extreme form. Being a person of at least some strong principles and convictions, here goes anyway.More than anything else, Kevin Kline running around the streets of Beaufort, South Carolina in teeny, tiny running shorts symbolizes this truly sad effort most accurately. As a long distance runner for decades, even before this film was produced, I would never have the audacity to wear anything like those, and I felt very embarrassed for him every time he appeared in them, which was much too often. Suddenly, I realized how embarrassed I was for everyone else connected to this movie, and it wasn't only because of Kevin Kline's ridiculously small running shorts. By the way, does anyone know why the running shoes were delivered for the entire group in the first place? I saw a few people playing touch football, but they didn't need brand new running shoes to pursue that momentary activity.As one who attended two different Big Ten (now Big Fourteen) universities during the late 60's and early 70's, I could not relate to this film in any possible way. Admittedly, I was fiercely independent back in those days, so I never affiliated with a fraternity or any association that substituted for one, which is what this group appeared to be. The dialogue was often inane, shallow, and just outright monotonous to the point of tears. No offense to the French film aficionados of the world, but I have seen far too many French films in which a set of characters sit around and express their philosophy of life, as was the case here, so it is surprising that this movie was so successful among American audiences, including those who did not attend Big Ten universities in the late sixties, as I did, and even reached Oscar nominations not only for best picture (!) but for best writing, screenplay directly for the screen(!). Seriously? Was 1984 such a lean year for Hollywood? I'll have to look that up some time when I'm as bored as I was while watching this.As far as the acting was concerned, I have seen some of these folks in far better movies, so I'm not even going to comment about their individual performances. I felt very uncomfortable for them all as they were forced to recite such awful lines, and I rarely believed in any of their performances as I don't think that they believed in themselves under these deplorable circumstances. I'll even be kind to Meg Tillie by not dwelling on how much her mechanical and empty headed character especially and thoroughly annoyed me, and she wasn't the only one.In the end, we have a group of totally self-absorbed and self-obsessed baby boomers, a group of which I am a somewhat reluctant member, gathering to mourn one of their best friends who had just shockingly committed suicide for reasons that were never fully or properly explored. So, what did they do for most of the time? Lament ad nauseam over their own, selfish needs, desires, and shortcomings before suddenly erupting in dance to late sixties and early seventies songs that were quite honestly far from the best of so many possibilities that had been produced at the time. In fact, I found that the often abrupt transition of these songs not only served as an awkward focal point to an otherwise boring film but even disrupted, often disturbingly, whatever action was struggling to transpire on the screen. Although "Joy to the World" by Three Dig Night would have been one of my last choices from 1971 to close out this tedium, I was very happy in an odd way when it began because I realized that the fat lady, bless her heart, had finally appeared and that the entire, extremely weary ordeal was finally coming to a merciful end.I gave it a three only because of the picturesque on-site locale of Beaufort and the very pleasing surrounding South Carolina low country.

Amy Adler In South Carolina, a man named Alex commits suicide. He does it at the summer home of a successful duo, Harold (Kevin Kline) a rising running shoe manufacturer and Sarah (Glenn Close) an MD. As Alex was their friend from college days at U of Mich, they were helping him get back on his feet. Now, at the funeral, more friends poor in. Sam (Tom Berenger) is a television star, Meg (Mary Kay Place) is a fine lawyer, Michael (Jeff Goldblum) writes for People Magazine, and Karen (JoBeth Williams) is a housewife with two small boys. Only Nick (William Hurt) seems somewhat adrift, as he failed to complete a doctorate in psychology and is suspected to be a seller of drugs. All of them are grieving for Alex but, as they gather after the funeral, they begin to pick apart how far they have come in the last ten years or so. Gone are the lofty ideals of the Sixties and reality has set in. For example, Meg wanted to be a public defender until she found out how guilty most of her clients were! Now, she has opted for a more lucrative career in real estate law. In short, most of the clan has soberly fallen into jobs and choices that support a typical lifestyle. They are somewhat freaked out by Alex's young girlfriend, Chloe (Meg Tilly) for she has a more cynical view than these Idealists had when they were her age. In a long weekend together, they grieve, reveal secrets, and try to make sense of their existence. What a concept! This classic movie is still a wonderful experience. The cast is superb, with all of them delivering tour de force turns. Also lofty is the script's general scrutiny of living day to day and needing your friends to pull you through. The soundtrack is likewise wonderful with powerful choices of the best of the 60's. Add on great costumes, scenery, and Kasdan's fine direction and the result is mesmerizing. The Big Chill is big on entertainment and enrichment so get it, get it.

darosslfc The Big Chill tells the story of eight friends who come together after the suicide of one of the best of them. They are all searching for something they lost. They find that all they needed was each other.This film launched the careers of a lot of stars. The best performances in the movie were some of the actors and actresses that mainstreamed Hollywood for years to com. Glen Close, Jeff Goldblum, Tom Berenger, Kevin Kline, and William Hurt were the best.The movie defines a generation. And the movie defines a part of life that we all reach where the questions we ask have no answers. The Big Chill is a great film to watch when you are looking for happiness in a sad place. One of my friends died recently and I stumbled upon this movie soon afterward. It is a movie that never should be remade because along with defining a generation it speaks across generations. I have a feeling that this movie will find you when you need it. Just don't pass it by.

grantss Okay, but not great. Script was rather basic, and contrived at times. I didn't find the characters and their relationships completely believable.Acting was, on the whole, average. Kevin Kline, Glenn Close and Tom Berenger are solid in their roles. William Hurt, as always, overthinks his part. Jeff Goldblum gives his usual irritating look-at-me performance. The entire movie ends up being saved, and made, by the soundtrack. The music is fantastic, really helps the feeling of nostalgia and keeps the movie from bogging down completely.