DCSIMG
 
 

The Big Chill (1983)

The Big Chill (1983)
Play Trailer and Clips
Member Rating:  
Embraced by the Baby Boomer generation and spawning countless imitators, the sophomore film of writer-director Lawrence Kasdan was a successful comedy-drama with a best selling soundtrack of Motown hits. Kevin Kline and Glenn Close star as Harold and Sarah Cooper, a couple whose marital troubles are put on hold while they host an unhappy reunion of former college pals gathered for the funeral of one of their own, a suicide victim named Alex. As the weekend unfolds, the friends catch up with each other, play the music of their youth, reminisce, smoke marijuana, and pair off with each other in unexpected combinations. Included are Michael (Jeff Goldblum), a smarmy journalist; Sam (Tom Berenger), a TV star; Karen (JoBeth Williams), unhappily married and pining for Sam; Nick (William Hurt), a drug-addicted Vietnam vet; and Meg (Mary Kay Place), a single career woman who wants a child. Joining the group is Alex's bizarre girlfriend Chloe (Meg Tilly), who finds new love with Nick. As they learn to deal with the truth about the loss of idealism in their lives and Alex's sad demise, the friends find their bond still intact, while the marriage of Harold and Sarah is healed in an unusual way that's in sync with the era of their youth. Cut from the release of The Big Chill (1983) was the brief appearance of young actor Kevin Costner as Alex. Kasdan promised Costner a role in his next picture, which turned out to be a star-making part in Silverado (1985). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

 Read More


Starring:
Kevin KlineGlenn Close, (more)
Director(s):
Lawrence Kasdan
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
View All Versions to rent and buy
 
 
 
 

Synopsis of The Big Chill

Embraced by the Baby Boomer generation and spawning countless imitators, the sophomore film of writer-director Lawrence Kasdan was a successful comedy-drama with a best selling soundtrack of Motown hits. Kevin Kline and Glenn Close star as Harold and Sarah Cooper, a couple whose marital troubles are put on hold while they host an unhappy reunion of former college pals gathered for the funeral of one of their own, a suicide victim named Alex. As the weekend unfolds, the friends catch up with each other, play the music of their youth, reminisce, smoke marijuana, and pair off with each other in unexpected combinations. Included are Michael (Jeff Goldblum), a smarmy journalist; Sam (Tom Berenger), a TV star; Karen (JoBeth Williams), unhappily married and pining for Sam; Nick (William Hurt), a drug-addicted Vietnam vet; and Meg (Mary Kay Place), a single career woman who wants a child. Joining the group is Alex's bizarre girlfriend Chloe (Meg Tilly), who finds new love with Nick. As they learn to deal with the truth about the loss of idealism in their lives and Alex's sad demise, the friends find their bond still intact, while the marriage of Harold and Sarah is healed in an unusual way that's in sync with the era of their youth. Cut from the release of The Big Chill (1983) was the brief appearance of young actor Kevin Costner as Alex. Kasdan promised Costner a role in his next picture, which turned out to be a star-making part in Silverado (1985). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
106 mins

Complete Cast of The Big Chill


Director(s):
Lawrence Kasdan
Writer(s):
Barbara BenedekLawrence Kasdan
Producer(s):
Michael ShambergIda Random
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R(Adult Situations, Adult Language, Drug Content, Sexual Situations)
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

Looking for special editions of The Big Chill?
See All Versions
Subtitles:
Check All Versions
Closed Captioning:
Check All Versions
 
 
 
 

BY MAIL

 
Buy New  $10.99
 

IN-STORE

 

ON DEMAND

Blockbuster Instant Video

Watch thousands of movies instantly on your TV, tablet, mobile phone or computer with no monthly subscription. You pay only for what you watch.
 

What's Your Take?

Add to FavoritesIn Favorites  |  Share:     Email to a friendShare on FacebookShare on Twitter
    YOUR REVIEW
    WRITE A REVIEW
     
    1000 
     
    Member Reviews
     
    Michael L.

    It is an American classic but its premise is flawed at best. I understand that it resonated with people because of some of the archetypal and generational themes it dealt with but it just 'rang false' for me.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Matthew I.

    THE BIG CHILL (1983) will continue to have a special significance with Baby Boomers of a particular age, but Lawrence Kasdan's excellent writing aside, the movie may continue to lose its relevance over time. As the title suggests, this is not a plot-based movie but rather a generational time-out as the aging children of the sixties take stock of their lives and come to terms with their mortality for the first time following a mutual close friend's funeral. The soundtrack evokes nostalgia, but at the ages Baby Boomers find themselves at today they may be nostalgic for their thirties and forties again! Glenn Close's character's choice to aid her dormant friend achieve a pregnancy may ring false even to the most die-hard of liberals. Identical thematic material received a better treatment in John Sayles' RETURN OF THE SECAUCUS SEVEN (1980).

    Yes   |   No

     
    S. G.

    Painful. Could not finish it.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 19 Reviews