A group of seven former college friends gather for a weekend reunion at a South Carolina vacation home after the funeral of another of their college friends.A group of seven former college friends gather for a weekend reunion at a South Carolina vacation home after the funeral of another of their college friends.A group of seven former college friends gather for a weekend reunion at a South Carolina vacation home after the funeral of another of their college friends.
- Nominated for 3 Oscars
- 3 wins & 8 nominations total
Jonathan Kasdan
- Harold and Sarah's Son
- (as Jon Kasdan)
Jake Kasdan
- Autograph Seeker
- (as Jacob Kasdan)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaActor Tom Berenger described this film as being " . . . about that period in life when you're beginning to realize you have limitations, that you will never accomplish certain goals and dreams . . . Suddenly, you know you're not a kid anymore".
- GoofsWhen the cast is eating their first dinner, a crew member is visible through the window on the right.
- Alternate versionsCBS edited 6 minutes from this film for its 1986 network television premiere.
- ConnectionsEdited into The Pitchfork Retreat
- SoundtracksI Heard It Through the Grapevine
Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong
Performed by Marvin Gaye
Courtesy of Motown Records and Jobete Music
Featured review
A Winning Comedy-Drama Backed by One of the Best Soundtracks Ever!
1983's THE BIG CHILL is one of those beautifully crafted and wonderfully acted films that is so ingratiating that I can watch it over and over and never tire of it. Director Lawrence Kasdan hits the bullseye in this alternately hilarious and moving variation on the earlier RETURN OF THE SECAUCUS SEVEN. This film follows the reunion of a group of friends who went to college together, who have gathered for the funeral of their mutual friend, Alex, who has committed suicide. The original screenplay included scenes with Alex, who was played by Kevin Costner, but, in a stroke of genius, it was decide to delete all of the Alex scenes in the film, lending a wonderful air of mystery to the character of Alex and allowing the audience more input as to why Alex decided to end his life. Alex's friends are Harold Cooper (Kevin Kline), who now owns a shoe store franchise and his doctor-wife, Sarah (Glenn Close), who also serve as our hosts ; Michael (Jeff Goldblum), a writer for PEOPLE magazine; Meg (Mary Kay Place)an attorney who wants to have a baby; Sam (Tom Berenger) an actor with his own TV show who misses the simple life; Karen (JoBeth Williams), a restless housewife who would really like to be a writer and Nick (William Hurt) a drug dealer who would like to be anything else. Also thrown into the mix is Chloe (Meg Tilly) Alex's girlfriend, who knows a completely different Alex than his friends do. This gathering of old and new friends sets the stage for some long-dormant resentments to bubble to the surface and for some long buried passions to be re-ignited. Kasdan has a sharp directorial eye and a flawless ear for dialogue with one of the most quotable screenplays ever and it is all set to a soundtrack of the greatest music from the 1960's ever compiled for a movie soundtrack. The cast is perfection...Close received a Best Supporting Actress nomination but the entire cast works at the same level and to honor one without honoring the ensemble wouldn't have been right. This is the ultimate ensemble piece and it works just about perfectly. Anyway you slice it, an instant classic.
helpful•266
- Isaac5855
- Jul 18, 2006
Everything New on Prime Video in May
Everything New on Prime Video in May
Your guide to all the new movies and shows streaming on Prime Video in the US this month.
- How long is The Big Chill?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Der große Frust
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $8,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $56,399,659
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $3,662,152
- Oct 2, 1983
- Gross worldwide
- $56,399,735
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content