The story and script for this movie is sound and it delivers at least enough spark to keep you interested. It becomes more picturesque in the second half which is fine. It's very American, and will rightly compare with similar adventures into American life and its love of service stations, motels and highways. I didn't see it as a comedy, anymore than Bagdad Cafe was a comedy (another example of an American roadhouse movie). It's quirky and friendly, with no real tension, just a sense of being interested in how it unfolds. My main criticism is with the casting. There are some big names here, but that was not enough to power the movie into a bigger league. It needed to splash out on better character actors with more presence, and perhaps forgo the big names, perhaps taking a risk with dynamic new names from successful or merited indie productions. I thought the lead was merely adequate, and was an opportunity gone begging. He could have been better looking and slimmer, which would have been more plausible as at least three women sort of fall for him. Sean Bean's character needed way more menace. Kelsey Grammar also only ever delivered a routine job, and wasn't the complicating hammer he was supposed to be. Darryl Hannah was also a bit routine, not really cliche, but close. That's really harsh I know, but I can't really recommend the movie unless I point that out. And I do recommend it. The ultimate sci-fi premise was sufficiently unusual and gelled well with the lonely roadhouse motel scenario to make me feel as if I had watched something with a vision. Having said that though, the sci-fi aspect (you won't notice it for almost all of the movie) was something that needed to have greater inclusion earlier on. Strange lights on the highway, strange markings in the desert, more crazy tales at the bar, something. The Big Empty is a cute little movie, it won't change your life, but it will interest sci-fi/modern Americana fans who like a bit of light-hearted roadhouse drama and are looking for something a little different.
Review of The Big Empty
