1988 Comedy drama
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cast
crew
Lawrence Kasdan
Frank Galati and Lawrence Kasdan, from the novel by Anne Tyler
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[ a c c i d e n t a l t o u r i s t : m o v i e r e v i e w ]
- 1988: Best Supp. Actress (Geena Davis)
- Nominations: Best Picture, Score, Adapted Screenplay
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In 20 years time or so, posterity will place this film among the finest of 20th Century cinema. Yes,
The Big Chill may be the crowd-pleaser
from director Lawrence Kasdan's
portfolio, but this criminally under-rated story
remains one of his best. William Hurt with his quiet intensity
is wonderful as the travel writer whose
life falls apart when his young son dies
and his wife (Kathleen Turner) leaves
him; Geena Davis is
the loopy dog trainer who helps him
recover. She won an Oscar as Best Supp. Actress for her role and if anyone is more deserving of the award then I have yet to see them. Her portrayal of the single parent mother who asks only of Hurt that he doesn't vanish from her son's life one day is awe inspiring. Her own sense of style, her difference from the norm, and her determination to pursue love even if it leaves her open to rejection by Hurt and humiliation, is female braveness personified in the shape of Davis. You watch her role and realise how much tougher the female is to the male. It is truly wonderful to behold.
While there are plenty of laughs along the way, an air of melancholy hangs over the piece as Kasdan movingly probes the emotions Hurt has so successfully buried.
