The Big Picture (1989)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Best movie ever!

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Film school grad Nick Chapman (Kevin Bacon) thought his career was made after his award winning short film, but discovered Hollywood wasn't as easy as it seems.Greenlit by David Puttnam of Columbia Pictures, the president was ousted two weeks after production began, and the subsequent regime at the studio, according to Guest, were unable to figure out what could be done with the film as many executives at the studio didn't like the film because they felt like they were being brutally satirized in it. Columbia quietly gave The Big Picture a limited theatrical release (despite opening to positive reviews) before sending it to video.With all the names attached o this film, the clever writing and positive message, it is amazing this one slipped under the radar. It might satirize Hollywood, but by no means do I feel it insults it or calls out anyone in particular (though, who knows what the writer had in mind).I especially enjoyed the role played by Jennifer Jason Leigh. She may be one of the best actresses of modern times, no one seems to recognize it. Between "Fast Times" (1982) and "Hateful Eight" (2015), no one seems to have noticed her. And why not? She was dynamite in so many things, and this film is the evidence.

No one can blame the people who work there for not daring to make a true Hollywood satire: it would, after all, be their own careers at the butt of every joke. Which may explain why this mild lampoon of modern movie-making - the parties, the pretensions, the deals, the hype - tactfully avoids hitting its intended targets too hard. Kevin Bacon is the aspiring director courted by Tinsel Town royalty (agents and producers) after winning an AFI student film award; he's a talented and honest guy in an industry often unable to recognize either virtue, and it isn't long before he loses himself to the shallow rewards of Hollywood status: fast cars, faster women, and so forth. Viewers may recognize in the credits the names of some of the folk responsible for the definitive rock 'n' roll spoof 'This Is Spinal Tap', but any other similarity between the two features is entirely coincidental. The new film is almost as superficial as the movies it makes fun of: it's a comedy about selling out that sells itself out for the obligatory (if nicely ironic) happy ending. Watch for many familiar faces in uncredited cameos.

Before he perfected and honed his satirical style, Christopher Guest gave us "The Big Picture." It was his first real directorial assignment and it demonstrated that he had plenty of talent and a sharp biting sense of humor. For some reason, however, the film never saw the light of day upon its initial release and it's only now being reconsidered and reappraised after twenty years in the video store basement. The plot revolves around Nick Chapman (Kevin Bacon), a recent film school graduate who has won a prestigious award. Hollywood comes calling in the form of major studio producer Allen Habel (a great J.T. Walsh) who has definite ideas about young Chapman's career path and first feature film subject matter, much to the young director's chagrin. All goes well at first and Chapman is soon hyped up as Hollywood's "next great film director," and it goes to his head fast than you can say "cut." Along the way, Chapman sells out his best friend (Michael McKean) and live-in lover (Emily Longstreth) and practically everyone else. He flips over beautiful Gretchen (Teri Hatcher in goddess mode) but he soon discovers that he's not even in her top ten list. His fall from grace is brutal and fast and his comeuppance is as well-deserved as his subsequent redemption is hard-earned. A succession of menial jobs to help pay his rent brings the luckless Mr. Chapman down to earth quickly. The scenes of poor Nick working as a telemarketer on the late shift are priceless.If there's a problem with "The Big Picture," it's that the film varies wildly between seriousness and light comedy (literally from scene to scene) and from reality to fantasy (kind of like Hollywood itself). It certainly hits its marks when revealing the shallowness of the system and the phonies who inhabit the big offices as they make their nonsensical decisions. Unfortunately, there's a lot of insider jokes that many viewers won't understand or merely just shrug off. Martin Short (unbilled) is the best of the supporting cast as Chapman's effeminate and bumbling agent; he couldn't close a deal if it landed in his lap. Other notable actors (John Cleese, June Lockhart, Eddie Albert, to name a few) make cameo appearances and have fun livening up the atmosphere. One point director Guest does makes crystal clear, however. No one in Hollywood has a clue as to what kind of movie will be a hit with the general public. It's always been a guessing game and nothing more. In the end "The Big Picture" will probably be best remembered as Mr. Guest's first feature film and a prelude for better things to come. For true film buffs, it'll also remind them of the talent of Emily Longstreth. Her sudden disappearance from the film industry has been much-discussed and remains a total mystery.

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.