padawanmovies
*Few Spoilers *I really liked this movie, I find myself forgetting sometimes just how long Kevin Bacon has been famous but there's a good reason: the man's flat out talented. That enduring theme of success can go away as quickly as its' received will never go away, actually might be worse now with so many celebrities out there that barely have any talent to begin with. This movie wasn't uproariously funny, but that was perfect for me because I really enjoy movies that are a little chuckle inducing like this. I did crack up at Short's scenes He was Hilarious!! I also enjoyed the weaving of the differing scenes like the black/white bar scene, the scene when he goes to his girlfriends job, the scene when he comes home and his gf pulls a gun on him; those were really kool imaginative moments. I think my favorite scenes were: Bacon storms out of the house after an argument with this gf and he tries to storm off in his car but he's too close to the nearby cars and the quote from the scene where Bacon's working as a call center employee; he tells a customer "GEE MY PHONE SMELLS" I laughed sooo Hard! Teri Hatcher's and Fran Drescher's outfits were quintessentially 80s but they were awesome! This is a really swell interpretation of the Hollywood machine...
frankf-10
The Big Picture is an under-rated, excellent and funny movie with solid performances all around. The comments by Guest and Bacon in the Extra Features section (evidently made years after the movie's release) are entertaining as well, adding another level of behind-the-scenes to this behind-the-scenes flick. Especially interesting was the tidbit about life imitating art regarding a disaster plot point in the movie that almost happened *to* The Big Picture while it was being made - and came near to shutting it down. Also interesting was Guest's insistence that the actual interference of management in the creative process (with bozo ideas thrown out wily-nilly during script "development" meetings) is often more outrageous than that depicted in the film.Only disappointment was that the deleted Billy Crystal scene mentioned by Guest was not included in the DVD's Extra Features' Deleted Scenes.
jdollak
There are a lot of movies that I like about the process of making a movie; Living In Oblivion, The TV Set, or even Guest's own For Your Consideration. I hadn't heard of this movie until it was brought up in a comments thread about a TV episode with a similar plot.The movie starts well, with some humor about student films. The plot mostly is just about the artistic compromises, combined with the reputation-focused existence of the Hollywood set.This is a very mildly absurdist portrayal. My biggest problem is that they didn't take the satire too far. Every compromise that was suggested could be interpreted as being an acceptable change. But the humor is also softened without the presence of someone who points out how silly these changes are. Bacon's performance seems too accepting of compromising his ideals.It's a memorable movie, and the humor is enjoyable, but it just needed to go a little bit further.
elshikh4
It's a testimony and a message. A testimony about a dreamy young artist who wanted to transmit his dreams to public, just to clash with the foundation which's responsible of that (loved the confused daydreams/changes of his original movie when it gets slain by the hungry, so cold, producer). It's a testimony too about surrendering to this foundation in return for losing the innocent self, its dreams, and friends as well. At one dark point the lead becomes as hungry, and so cold, as his producer. Not Hollywood, but all the big foundations can make you like this, turning you into a machine with no special dream. Now the message is exceedingly true. It's about holding on to your innocence. So regardless of how many "Coffins From Hell" you'll going to make, just don't lose yourself in one. And don't forget the big picture, your big picture, because it's more important than anything. It takes a lot of time and troubles to win the ability of making your dreams true, but then don't forget what were them in the first place. The secret of this movie's power and immortality is being so simple and accurate. No doubts it's some pieces of its maker's experience, and the movie is soft and sweet at delivering them. Let alone being optimistic too, since the lead at the end managed to win a big chance, his friends back, and his self. So according to this movie; dreaming and fulfilling can't be an impossible thing. Otherwise look how it was made without a lesbian sex scene! Despite looking small among other flashy and huge Hollywood moneymakers, this is really a big picture. Here, innocence is that true, defended, and winner. P.S : I'm writing about this movie after 12 years of watching it for the only time I did yet, and without having a paper of previous notices. Tells you a lot about its power and immortality.
AD
