The big chill film analysis

The following originally appeared in the septemberoctober 1983 issue of film comment. The big chill soundtrack music complete song list tunefind. Conversely, after the failure of vietnam, top gun producers wanted to provide reassurance of american superiority by using the same ideology, but different symbols of domineering manlihood represented. The big chill is about a cooling process that takes place for every generation when they move from the outwarddirected, more idealistic concerns of their youth to a kind of selfabsorption, a selfinterest which places their personal desires above those of the society or even an ideal. Tom berenger, glenn close, jeff goldblum, william hurt and kevin kline make this is an actors movie. The reunion drama the big chill uses golden oldies. A group of seven former college friends gather for a weekend reunion at a south carolina vacation home after the funeral of another of their college friends. Tidalholm also appears in the great santini, filmed just a few years earlier in 1979. The 1983 film is, after all, a movie in which a group of adults who came of age in the 1960s sort through what theyve become while reflecting on the times that made them, one powered by the. The big chill was adapted for television as hometown 198586, a series which failed to find an audience and lasted only 9 episodes. Listen to trailer music, ost, original score, and the full list of popular songs in the film. A coming of age film for the 60s activist generation. Thirty years after seeing the big chill, i can remember a dozen, including jeff goldblums exchange comparing rationalizations with sex with the conclusion that rationalization is far more important to survival and william hurts devastating analysis of the old college gangs friendship, beginning with a long time ago we knew each other for.

The big chill isnt bad but i didnt really find it nearly as meaningful or memorable as the film is. I was going through some old papers the other night, from cardboard boxes that were packed at the end of college and have followed me. In addition to the storyform, youll also find any additional analysis or media related to the story in question. The big chill also benefited greatly from kasdans enviable reputation in the industry at the time. Filmthe big chillfunnythe big chillheartwarmingthe big chilltriviathe big chillymmvthe big chillif you meant one of those, just click. It is located at 1 laurens street in downtown beaufort and is a private residence. The earlier film return of the secaucus seven 1979 has oft been mentioned alongside the big chill 1983 but return of the secaucus seven 1979s writerdirector john sayles has noted that in the big chill 1983 the friends characters are more upwardly mobile than in return of the secaucus seven 1979. A 30th anniversary reunion for the classic tale of friends sheds light on the passage of time, the fortunes of the toronto film festival. The cast is outstanding, all quietly bringing tremendous depth to the subtlest moments. The big chill returns in a dualedition release the. The big chill is easy to dismiss as boomer nostalgia, but in fact the filmwith its rousingly nostalgic soundtrack, its attractively livedin ensemble, its glib relationship to trauma, its. The plot focuses on a group of baby boomers who attended the university of michigan, reuniting after 15 years when their friend alex commits suicide. Jan 01, 2000 the big chill is actually remarkably similar to john sayles 1980 effort, the return of the secaucus seven, an original, spoton look at a group of 60s college friends and erstwhile radicals.

An entertainment weekly feature article on the big chill credits the film for soundtrack albums, dialogue intensive dramas, and even bill clinton november 6, 1998. Phallic symbols are the main symbolic example of the film. The big chill is a 1983 american comedydrama film directed by lawrence kasdan, starring tom berenger, glenn close, jeff goldblum, william hurt, kevin kline, mary kay place, meg tilly, and jobeth williams. Watching the big chill will remind you of your own capacity for joy by kathryn jezermorton feb 1, 2018 the big chill s world is so livedin that it made me wonder if the film had existed. The big chill is actually remarkably similar to john sayles 1980 effort, the return of the secaucus seven, an original, spoton look at a group of 60s college friends and erstwhile radicals. Its a reminder that the same people who turn out our megabuck fantasies are often capable of working even more effectively on the small, intimate scale of the big chill. The big chill captures a generations growing ennui with a terrific cast, a handful of perceptive insights, and one of the decades best film soundtracks. The big chill is an interesting movie about a group of friends and their weekend together. The big chill is the best look yet into this colorful and complex generation. The big chill is easy to dismiss as boomer nostalgia, but in fact the filmwith its rousingly nostalgic soundtrack, its attractively livedin. In the opening scene, harold cooper kevin kline is bathing his twoyearold son when his wife, sarah glenn close, receives a phone call at their richmond, virgina home telling her that their college friend, alex marshall an uncredited kevin costner, has committed suicide by slashing his wrists in the bathtub of their vacation house in south carolina, where he had been staying. Rereleased in 1998 fifteen years later the big chill has proven to be a trendsetter, not just a passing trend.

He was already wellknown for his scriptwriting work on the empire strikes back 1980, continental divide 1981, and raiders of the lost ark 1981, which was paid homage in the big chill kevin kline hums the adventure movies theme music. It is a thoroughly entertaining, fluid and wonderfully relaxed movie populated by engaging, funny, attractive, perplexed and rueful characters. All of the characters meet up due to the death of alex. Find all 23 songs in the big chill soundtrack, with scene descriptions. The big chill has some of the finest acting of any ensemble cast of any american film. The big chill is a 1983 american comedydrama film directed by lawrence kasdan, starring. The big chill is still the toast of toronto, 30 years on. We dont have an article named analysis thebigchill, exactly. Jun 02, 2016 julia louisdreyfus and jason alexander discuss seinfeld and more for direct relief fundraising duration. There are moments that crash down as clinkers, almost because the characters seem never to have grappled with the notion that maybe they were just plain wrong or selfrighteous then. The big chill captures a generations growing ennui with a terrific cast, a handful of perceptive insights, and one of the. Apr 29, 2020 dear cinephiles, i remember seeing the big chill in 1983. In addition to the storyform, youll also find any additional analysis or media related to the story in question more analysis the big lebowski.

At first, i thought this was a real weakness of the film, but perhaps this is in actuality the movies real message. The film is about a group of college roommates who get together 15 years later for a weekend following the funeral of their muchadmired friend alex who committed suicide for no apparent reason. The big chill, lawrence kasdans second film as a writerdirector, often gets held up as an example. The big chill after the shocking suicide of their friend, a group of thirtysomethings reunite for his funeral and end up spending the weekend together, reminiscing about their shared past as children of the sixties and confronting the uncertainty of their lives as adults of the eighties. Yet as generous as the film is to its characters, it also keeps finding ways to criticize their myopia. Film blog the big chill is still the toast of toronto. Apr 21, 2020 at first, i thought this was a real weakness of the film, but perhaps this is in actuality the movies real message. The big chill original soundtrack original soundtrack. Hes quickly joined by the half dozen friends who are spending the weekend in his house, and the next few minutes see the entire ensemble dancing around the kitchen, shaking their butts as they clear the dinner table and wash the. The big chill didnt invent the scenario john sayles return of the secaucus 7 used the same device in 1980 but it was a bigger hit and is more likely to be cited as a source of inspiration. Outdoor scenes fare best, especially given lawrence kasdans proclivity for establishing shots, as deep focus detail is often. In the opening sequence of the big chill, lawrence kasdans sweet. This is one of those few cases where the film is better and much more effective than the book. Sep 07, 20 but the big chill is also a thoughtful, witty film that feels fresh and brave when compared to most contemporary fare.

Youve reached the hub for any and all dramatica analysis of the big chill. I thought at first that was a weakness of the movie. Motown scored big with this album, which contains ten 60s hits, from marvin gayes i heard it through the grapevine to procol harums a whiter shade of pale, just the sort of music loved by the yuppie thirtysomething characters in the movie and ready to be rediscovered by the audience that saw the film. The reunion drama the big chill uses golden oldies to. Its characters have all the right clothes, expressions, fears, lusts and ambitions. The 1983 film is, after all, a movie in which a group of adults who came of age in the 1960s sort through what theyve become while reflecting on. The big chill is a loving, bittersweet look at how lives change during the transition from young adulthood to middle age.

The big chill represents the best of mainstream american film making. When younger generations complain about the selfinvolvement of baby boomers, the big chill, lawrence kasdans second film as a writerdirector, often gets held up as an example of what they mean. A little over halfway through the big chill, harold kevin kline puts the temptations aint too proud to beg on the turntable and starts rocking out. The big chill is the ultimate 1980s babyboomer movie, presenting the definitive portrayal of the emerging yuppie archetype and all its traits. In the big chill, cynicism is the illusion popmatters.

The big chill returns in a dualedition release the new. They all loved him and one another very much, but it was alex committing suicide that brought them together. The big chill offers a highly evolved, allround experience that is completely unique, with a wide variety of music and performance, art, dance and film. A little over halfway through the big chill, harold kevin kline puts the temptations aint too proud to beg on the. The babadook big chill credits the film for soundtrack albums, dialogue intensive dramas, and even bill clinton november 6, 1998. Aug 04, 2014 the big chill smiles and forgives as it addresses the contradictions of a class that asked fundamental questions of authority even as it laid down its own tyranny. The big chill is a celebration of what people hope for in youth, and how this hope can bring people together but, because of chloe, it ultimately condemns nostalgia. The plot focuses on a group of baby boomers who attended the university of michigan, reuniting after 15 years when their friend alex commits. Tidalholm mansion was prominently featured in the big chill as the house where the old friends come together.