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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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Attack of the Yuppies
I saw "The Big Chill" for the first time when I was about 16 and considered it to be one of my favourite movies. Watching it again, more than 10 years later, I realize that the reason why I loved this film so much was because of the soundtrack (this was the film that instilled in me a love for "classic" rock and roll, especially The Rolling Stones, a love which still remains with me today). It was most certainly not for the plot or characters.
The plot centres around a group of yuppies who gather for the funeral of a college friend and then spend the weekend reminiscing about "the good old days" (this plot was, in fact, borrowed from "The Return of the Secaucus Seven", which was made three years earlier, but on a much lower budget). None of the characters in the film have a single redeeming feature and to put it bluntly, they are a group of narcissistic yuppies. Still, in a morbid kind of way, they are fascinating to watch. I don't identify with these people, I don't want to be like them, and yet, when they dance around the kitchen to old records, I find that I can't take my eyes off the screen.
After the music, the next best thing about this film is the cast. Just about every actor in this film went on to bigger and better things (even Kevin Costner, who is the corpse that you see in the opening scene).
Overall, the film is worth seeing, if only to say that you have seen what is often considered to be a minor classic, and after you've seen it, go out and buy the soundtrack.
Rating: 
-
A film for Baby Boomers -- lots of fun!
Yes, there's a funeral, which is the basis for the background story for this film -- but the dead guy would have been fine with his associates' activities over this "going back" weekend.
The story is essentially this: A gregarious assemblage of Baby Boomers (now mostly successful and semi-rich) come together for a weekend reunion when a friend, (drug-crazed, who never left the 60s), dies. The post-funeral activities range from philosophical meanderings to reefer smoking to carnal intercourse. The corpse's young girlfriend stays on throughout the weekend for additional comic relief.
I could watch this one over and over, (and I do). They say that, "You can never go back," but this film returns one to the 60s for just a little re-peek. Here are the great things about this movie, at least for Baby Boomers:
1. The music. This film features one of the great 60s soundtracks of all time:
The Big Chill - Deluxe Edition
The Big Chill: More Songs from the Original Soundtrack
2. The story -- the interactions of these characters absolutely reminded me of the humorous hipocracy of my pals and myself as well.
3. The cinematography of this film is second to none. The locations and sets are also superb.
4. The casting in this film is so perfect I can't think of one change that I would have made.
I don't know that this movie would mean a lot (or have any meaning whatever) for younger generations of people -- you sort of had to be there. It's a comedy film in a sense, (falling into a category of films which I would normally avoid), but this is a MUST SEE for any Baby Boomer who participated in the nefarious, free-love-society of the '60s.
Highly recommended to appropriate viewers.
Rating: 
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audio problems
This DVD version of The Big Chill, has the same problems that I find on most of my discs and that is POOR audio. This is especially true with a DVD Movie that uses Music as a large part of the experience, such as The Big Chill. When the background music comes up, I have to turn DOWN my volume because it becomes so Loud and when the Music stops, I have to turn UP my volume in order to hear the actors and what they are saying. This is a good movie with the same old problem that the Studios have not corrected on most of the older DVD's. I have even experienced this with some of the newer ones. I would think this is correctable, if a little time and money were spent on it.
Rating: 
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An Original That Has Been Copied
THE BIG CHILL is one of the few movies that I own, and I will watch it periodically and still be entertained. Lawrence Kasdan is a brilliant movie maker whose projects invite viewers to question their values. Although this movie provokes thought, the clever dialogue is pure fun.
I believe THE BIG CHILL was one of the first--if not, THE first--movies that let the music tell a part of the story. And since this comfortable group of friends danced together in the kitchen while preparing dinner, many other movies have included a gratuitous dance scene.
This movie was a first to feature an ensemble cast whose sum is greater than its parts. Every part is memorable and clever, but no one overshadows anyone else.
Most people--of a certain age--know that THE BIG CHILL was to be a vehicle for Kevin Costner toward the beginning of his career. Instead, Costner's body was featured in the role of the friend who dies at the beginning of the story, and prompts a reunion of friends who once shared similar values.
This movie is fun, quirky, clever, and sweet. And unlike other movies, the selection of music is strategically placed within the dialogue and plot to help move the story forward.
I recommend this movie to all adults of any age. I tried to add five stars. This should have five stars.
Rating: -
Good film after all these years
Tom Brokaw's new book, "Boom!" mentions "The Big Chill" and somehow I've missed seeing it over the years. I was pleasantly surprised to see then-young actors Tom Berenger, Kevin Kline, Glenn Close and William Hurt (among others) come together for a strong ensemble performance. These thirty-somethings gather over a weekend of a sad event and manage to explore their current and past lives in a way that seems surprisingly relevant. I wouldn't say "The Big Chill" is timeless but I could imagine a group of my own friends having some of the same conversations today.
If there's not a whole lot of "action" in "The Big Chill" it makes up for it in insight. The soundtrack is a great addition but it is really the fine acting that carries the film and it's great to see so many up and coming stars. "The Big Chill" is worth a look.
