The Big Chill (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'The Big Chill' (directed/co-written by Lawrence Kasdan) takes a keen look into this colorful & complex generation of Baby Boomers (people born btwn. 1946-65). It is an entertaining & wonderfully relaxed movie populated by engaging, funny, & perplexing characters ... as the Baby Boomers apparently are {haha}. 7 young adults who were housemates & students together at the University of Michigan are reunited at the funeral of Alex, one of their friends who committed suicide. 2 of the 7 are Harold & Sarah Cooper (Kevin Kline, Glenn Close); a couple whose marital issues are put on hold while they host the unhappy reunion.
As the weekend unfolds, the friends listen to great music of their youth, play some football, reminisce about old times, talk about their jobs, their relationships; eat, drink, dance, smoke pot, watch TV, share their fears, their dreams, & pair-off with each other in unexpected combinations (some sexual). Also included in this group are Michael (Jeff Goldblum), a smarmy writer; Sam (Tom Berenger), a TV star; Karen (JoBeth Williams), unhappily married & pining for Sam; Nick (William Hurt), a drug-addicted Vietnam veteran; & Meg (Mary Kay Place), a single career woman who wants a baby. Joining the group is Alex's strange girlfriend, Chloe (Meg Tilly), who finds new love with Nick. As they learn to deal with the truth about the loss of idealism in & Alex's sad end, the friends try to hold true to their bond.
Director Kasdan (Body Heat) has stated that: "The Big Chill deals with members of my generation who have discovered that not everything they wanted is possible, that not everything ideal they believed has stayed in the forefront of their intentions. (The film) is about the cooling off process that takes place for every generation when they move from ... more idealistic concerns of their youth to a kind of ... self-interest which places their desires above those of the society or even an ideal". Over 75 million people can be considered Baby Boomers; and they have helped shape American culture over the last few decades. See, during the 1950s, society focused its attention to family matters. During the 1960s, the U.S. experienced turmoil as the Baby Boomers went through a stage of rebellion. And during the 1970s, the "Me Generation" established self-satisfaction as an acceptable standard.
I just loved the easy, relaxed tone of 'The Big Chill'. I liked the setting; the characters; their interplay. The screenplay presents a perceptive crosscut of individuals representative of that unique Baby Boom generation. And the actors/actresses deliver exceptional ensemble performances. Really, I can't even choose a stand-out. Kasdan writes/directs so well, & the actors/actresses respond to Kasdan's template in equal measure. The selections of rock & soul music - which punctuate the plotline - also add a lot to the film; helping make it the exhilarating experience that it is. And most important of all, I sense that Kasdan really seems to love these characters & understands the changes they are going through as individuals & as a group.
As the weekend unfolds, the friends listen to great music of their youth, play some football, reminisce about old times, talk about their jobs, their relationships; eat, drink, dance, smoke pot, watch TV, share their fears, their dreams, & pair-off with each other in unexpected combinations (some sexual). Also included in this group are Michael (Jeff Goldblum), a smarmy writer; Sam (Tom Berenger), a TV star; Karen (JoBeth Williams), unhappily married & pining for Sam; Nick (William Hurt), a drug-addicted Vietnam veteran; & Meg (Mary Kay Place), a single career woman who wants a baby. Joining the group is Alex's strange girlfriend, Chloe (Meg Tilly), who finds new love with Nick. As they learn to deal with the truth about the loss of idealism in & Alex's sad end, the friends try to hold true to their bond.
Director Kasdan (Body Heat) has stated that: "The Big Chill deals with members of my generation who have discovered that not everything they wanted is possible, that not everything ideal they believed has stayed in the forefront of their intentions. (The film) is about the cooling off process that takes place for every generation when they move from ... more idealistic concerns of their youth to a kind of ... self-interest which places their desires above those of the society or even an ideal". Over 75 million people can be considered Baby Boomers; and they have helped shape American culture over the last few decades. See, during the 1950s, society focused its attention to family matters. During the 1960s, the U.S. experienced turmoil as the Baby Boomers went through a stage of rebellion. And during the 1970s, the "Me Generation" established self-satisfaction as an acceptable standard.
I just loved the easy, relaxed tone of 'The Big Chill'. I liked the setting; the characters; their interplay. The screenplay presents a perceptive crosscut of individuals representative of that unique Baby Boom generation. And the actors/actresses deliver exceptional ensemble performances. Really, I can't even choose a stand-out. Kasdan writes/directs so well, & the actors/actresses respond to Kasdan's template in equal measure. The selections of rock & soul music - which punctuate the plotline - also add a lot to the film; helping make it the exhilarating experience that it is. And most important of all, I sense that Kasdan really seems to love these characters & understands the changes they are going through as individuals & as a group.