Watch The Big White
- R
- 2005
- 1 hr 45 min
-
6.3 (15,377)
The Big White is a 2005 black comedy film directed by Mark Mylod and starring Robin Williams, Giovanni Ribisi, and Holly Hunter. The film follows the story of an Alaskan travel agent named Paul Barnell (Williams) who is struggling to keep his business afloat. To make matters worse, his mentally ill wife Margaret (Hunter) has racked up massive medical bills, and he is unable to pay them.
One day, while attempting to scam the life insurance company into paying for his wife's stay in a mental health facility, Paul stumbles upon the frozen body of a man outside his office. The man turns out to be a wanted fugitive named Ted (Ribisi) who was carrying a suitcase filled with money. Faced with the prospect of losing his business and ending up in jail for insurance fraud, Paul hatches a plan to claim the body as his missing brother, collect the life insurance payout, and use the stolen money to get out of debt.
However, things quickly spiral out of control when Ted's criminal associates come looking for him and Paul's plan starts to unravel. Meanwhile, Paul's sister-in-law (Alison Lohman), a chipper but dim-witted dental assistant, arrives in town to help out, further complicating matters.
The Big White is a quirky and often absurd comedy that blends elements of crime drama with dark humor. Robin Williams delivers a nuanced performance as a desperate man pushed to his limits, while Ribisi brings an off-kilter intensity to his role as the hapless criminal. Holly Hunter provides a strong counterbalance as Margaret, a tragic figure struggling with mental illness.
The Alaskan landscape serves as a stunning backdrop to the film's offbeat plot, with the cold, desolate setting accentuating the characters' isolation and desperation. The film also features a memorable supporting cast, including Woody Harrelson as a flamboyant insurance agent, and Tim Blake Nelson as a dodgy undertaker.
Although The Big White received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics finding the film's humor too dark and others praising its offbeat charm, it has developed a cult following over the years. Fans of black comedies and quirky crime films will find plenty to enjoy in this weird and wild ride through the Alaskan wilderness.
The Big White is a 2005 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 31.