I love this movie so much

Crappy film

A lot of fun.

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

The Big Chill is an exceptional title for a movie. It could be used for a number of different stories, ranging from some sort of action sci-fi flick to a get together of old friends. This movie is about the latter. This movie opens on a grim note. An old college pal has killed himself, so all his closest friends (now in their mid-thirties) gather for his funeral. One man gives an emotional speech about their lost friend. Everyone tears up. The funeral proceeds, then it ends with the playing of a favorite song from the past. It's the first of many classic songs played throughout the film. At first, they seem fine, even soothing and nostalgic. But they soon grow tired and stale. It's clear that the movie didn't believe enough in itself to establish the nostalgic vibe through the dialogue and visual palette, so it opted to blast hit song after hit song. This would make for a great mix for a road trip, but it's not an effective way to make a movie.After leaving the funeral, the friends gather at a country house and share stories of the old days. Past feelings re-emerge, as do realizations of the current dissatisfactions in their lives. Not much happens over the course of the weekend, save for a few strange adulterous moments. One is alleged to be for a greater purpose, but that claim is dubious and bizarre. They seemed more like typical college hookups, probably brought on by the emotional vulnerability they experience after the death of a friend. The movie is well-acted, and the characters are interesting enough. The jokes are hit and miss, with a few too many misses to score big points as a successful comedy. On the whole, it's not a total failure. For the appropriate crowd, it could really strike a chord and make a meaningful impact. As far as I can tell, the appropriate crowd is anyone in their mid-thirties to mid-fifties, especially those who grew up listening to the Rolling Stones. The movie doesn't offer any resolution-there isn't one to be had. They shared moments together in college, and they did so again during this weekend. It's a story about growing into later adulthood and accepting the life you've made. A reunion with old friends will not provide an antidote for all that ails you, but it can offer a temporary reprieve from your day to day. Maybe this time together will remind everyone that they should gather more often. Or, maybe this is just another moment in time.

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.

This one has it all. If you ever had a really tight knit group of school friends that you absolutely love and then spent years without them, this film will allow you to feel like you are having a reunion with your friends. The closeness, inside jokes, various personalities, mini-dramas all add to the flavor. The soundtrack is one of the best of all time and the storytellers use the music to connect the audience with the characters. For such a large cast of strong actors, this group does a wonderful job not to overshadow one another. It is a harmonious blend of styles and personalities that can make solid use of non-verbal communication. I have viewed thousands of movies. Very, very few deserve a second viewing. The Big Chill is one that I have enjoyed at least ten times over the years.

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.