Watch The Big Chill

The Big Chill is a 1983 American comedy-drama film directed by Lawrence Kasdan and starring Tom Berenger, Glenn Close, and Jeff Goldblum. The film follows a group of college friends who reunite for a weekend after the funeral of one of their own. The movie opens with the funeral of Alex, a friend who has committed suicide. After the service, his college friends reunite at a South Carolina vacation home owned by one of them, Harold (Kevin Kline), and his wife Sarah (Glenn Close). The group consists of Michael (Jeff Goldblum), an unsuccessful journalist; Karen (JoBeth Williams), a disillusioned housewife; Sam (Tom Berenger), a movie star; Meg (Mary Kay Place), a single parent; and Nick (William Hurt), a drug-addicted Vietnam veteran.

Throughout the weekend, the group reflects on their own lives and their memories of their friend Alex. The group’s conversations touch on everything from politics, love, and sex to their own disappointments and insecurities. Each character has their own unique story to tell, and the film deftly weaves together their different experiences.

The Big Chill deals with heavy themes like grief, friendship, and loss, but it’s also a very funny movie. The characters often use humor to mask their discomfort or sadness, but these moments of levity never feel forced or out of place. The film’s soundtrack is another highlight, featuring classic rock hits from the 60s and 70s that perfectly encapsulate the mood of the film.

One of the film’s standout performances comes from Kevin Kline as Harold, the successful businessman who seems to have it all. His outward confidence masks his own anxieties and insecurities, and Kline delivers a nuanced performance that captures the character’s complexities.

Another standout is Glenn Close as Sarah, Harold’s wife. She’s the glue that holds the group together, but she’s also struggling with her own grief over Alex’s death. Close gives a subtle and affecting performance in a role that could have easily been reduced to a supportive wife trope.

Jeff Goldblum’s Michael is perhaps the film’s most memorable character, thanks in large part to Goldblum’s idiosyncratic charm. He’s a character who is both funny and tragic, and Goldblum plays him with just the right amount of self-awareness.

The Big Chill was a critical and commercial success when it was released in 1983. It was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won the Award for Best Original Screenplay. The film’s impact has lasted for decades, and it’s now considered a classic of the era. Its themes of friendship, loss, and the passage of time are still resonant today.

Overall, The Big Chill is an engaging and emotionally affecting film that captures the essence of a generation. It’s a testament to the power of friendship and the enduring connections that can last a lifetime.

The Big Chill is a 1983 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 61.