The Big Chill

1983 • 105 minutes

About this movie

After the shocking suicide of their friend, a group of thirtysomethings reunite for his funeral and end up spending a weekend together, reminiscing about their shared pasts as children of the sixties and confronting the uncertainty of their lives as adults of the eighties. Poignant and warmly humorous in equal measure, this 1983 baby boomer milestone made a star of writer-director Lawrence Kasdan (Body Heat) and is perhaps the decade’s defining ensemble film, featuring memorable performances by Tom Berenger (Platoon), Glenn Close (Fatal Attraction), Jeff Goldblum (The Fly), William Hurt (Broadcast News), Kevin Kline (The Ice Storm), Mary Kay Place (Being John Malkovich), Meg Tilly (Agnes of God), and JoBeth Williams (Poltergeist). And with its playlist of hit songs from the sixties, The Big Chill all but launched the era of the consummately curated soundtrack.

Ratings and reviews

Nothing really happens, unsatisfying ending. Hard to relate to the characters. Must be my millennial blood. Jeff Goldblum's character is way too creepy, but he's a funny looking guy so I enjoyed watching him.

An incredible film no matter if you remember the 60s or not. Superb acting, great dialogue and a flawless script; not to mention a stellar soundtrack.

Love this movie. I'll watch it whenever I find it. What a cast!