Rent The Big Chill (1983)

Cult 80s Drama - The Big Chill review by GI

There's little doubt that this remains a film that its fans from the early 80s still feel really very nostalgic about. That's ironic considering that it's a film about nostalgia or at least about regret. A life affirming tale about that moment when the dreams and aspirations of youth are overtaken by the reality of adulthood and life in general. With its brightly talented cast and superb soundtrack this is a film you'll either love or if it's your first time may feel it's a bit dated. Either way it's an interesting drama about a group of thirty something former college friends who reunite at the funeral of one of their old group who was their brightest and favourite but who has committed suicide. After the service they congregate at the house of Harold (Kevin Kline) and Sarah (Glenn Close) to grieve and where past emotions and connections are revisited. There's little story as such as this is about the discovery of your past and accepting the naïvety of your youth. Jeff Goldblum, William Hurt, Tom Berenger, Mary Kay Place and JoBeth Williams are the former friends along with Meg Tilly as the dead friend's girlfriend. The script is cleverly structured and the performances are nothing short of brilliant. It is a film to appreciate a few times to get its nuances but everyone can see that lost dreams from the excitement of youth are lost in the humdrum of later life.