The Big White (2005)

Good movie but grossly overrated

To all those who have watched it: I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

A man (Williams) living in Alaska who is in serious debt issues tries to solve his money problems. His plan is to pass off a frozen corpse he has recently found as his long lost brother, in order to collect his large life insurance policy. It seemed like such a Simple Plan(1998), but two bubbling soon-to-be gangsters and an eager insurance adjuster have different things to say. This quirky low-key movie is definitely worth while, even just to catch Holly Hunter as Williams' Tourette's-afflicted wife. S

As others here have noted, there is a strong feeling of the movie "Fargo" with this particular movie, from the winter setting to its tone. That tone being that of a subtle dark kind of humor to whatever is happening, even when the material covers disturbing subjects such as murder. So don't be prepared to laugh out loud that often, despite the fact that Robin Williams plays one of the leads. But while the movie isn't light hearted and goofy, you can often see and appreciate the somewhat absurdity of what's going on and be entertained by it. You can identify with these characters even if you haven't committed a crime or a dastardly deed in your life. You'll be wondering what will happen to these people in the very end with twist after twist in the plot. Though while the movie does eventually tells us how these characters end up, the ending is a little unsatisfying since there are a few details that are not quite clear. But at least the ride right up to that ending is an entertaining one.

While there are some worthwhile actors in this movie it is not good or bad. Personally, I found it to be rather dull. It wasn't a comedy or thriller, the plot is easy to follow but nothing to keep you watching.Maybe I expected a little more knowing that Robin, Holly and Woody were the featured actors as I like them a lot. I found Holly Hunters part to be rather over the top and at some instances her character annoyed me. The character just didn't ring true to me. Given the choice between this movie or doing something like housework, I would choose housework. If you just want to sit quietly and not have to think, then this is the movie to watch. I gave it 5/10 because I think the actors did the best they could with the script.

For me this was one of the best movies of 2005. Robin Williams is an actor i like, but is often guilty of going totally over the top. He doesn't do that here and i really engaged with his character. The plot is fun, although obviously there are holes all over the place, and all the characters are a delight to watch. Holly Hunter provides a lot of laughs, but i don't think they overdo the jokes involving her, which they could easily have done.A happy ending for all in a movie that comes across as a mix of 'Fargo' and 'A Simple Plan'. That is a great compliment, since those are two excellent movies.