The Big Chill (1983)

My Review

“The Big Chill” is the story of seven college friends from Michigan who reunite at the funeral of one of their friends in South Carolina. On the positive side, Lawrence Kasdan (“Body Heat” 1981) put together a movie depicting strong friendships, but his uneven direction left boring gaps in the film, laced with depictions of hard-core drug use such as cocaine. He co-wrote the so-so script with Barbara Benedek.

The cast is filled with talent including Tom Berenger, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, William Hurt, Kevin Kline, Mary Kay Place, Meg Tilly, Jo Beth Williams, Don Galloway, James Gillis, Ken Place, Jonathan Kasdan, Jake Kasdan, Meg Kasdan, and Kevin Costner (scenes deleted). “The Big Chill” was successful at the box office for Carson Productions and Columbia Pictures. It was nominated for three Oscars, no wins: Best Picture, Best Actress (Close), and Best Screenplay.