Solemplex To me, this movie is perfection.

WasAnnon Slow pace in the most part of the movie.

Raetsonwe Redundant and unnecessary.

Zandra The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

RNMorton College movie whiz Bacon gets out of school and thinks he's going to make it big in Hollywood. Along the way he dumps his friends and girlfriend chasing after Teri Hatcher and fame. Then things unravel and he finds himself with nothing. Bacon is just grand taking the roller coaster ride, as is Emily Longstreth as the modest but loyal girlfriend. I think she's the most fascinating character in this movie, I can't understand why she was out of movies five years after this, she is just magnificent here. There are a bunch of other great characters in this, including JT Walsh as the grandiose producer, Michael McKean as Bacon's cinematographer, Martin Short as the over-reactive agent, and an always extremely welcome Jennifer Jason Leigh. One of my all-time favorite sleeper movies.

Dave from Ottawa Bolstered by an early appearance by Teri Hatcher as a vapid starlet, The Big Picture takes a smirky look at the corruption of the creative process by the know-nothing power brokers who run Hollywood. A recent film school graduate gets a chance to direct his first feature, providing he is willing to take advice. It seems everybody has 'suggestions' for the novice director, and the clout to cram them down his throat, especially a pervy producer played with slimy grace by J.T.Walsh. The movie begins to mutate out of his control with funny and disturbing results. Finally he finds himself having to fight to regain control of his film and career. Hollywood movies about Hollywood movie making have proved a rather mixed bag over the years, surprising given the supposed intimacy with the subject matter the films' creators theoretically enjoy. A botched technical detail here or there in a film about Arctic exploration might be forgiven, but Hollywood ought to know its own turf. Luckily, this particular addition to the Hollywood-on-Hollywood genre has a fairly authentic ring. Indeed, the more you understand about the Hollywood movie-making process, the more interesting and entertaining this film is. Yet the movie has enough striking visuals and funny and surprising bits, as to make it accessible to anyone.

chuck-reilly 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.

nixskits It's hard to believe it's been twenty years since this came out. Kevin Bacon is established as one of the best American actors (also, one of the greats who've never been nominated for an Oscar!). Teri Hatcher is the star of a huge television hit. Christopher Guest still makes brilliant films and gives his actors more freedom than almost any other director today. And my affection for "The Big Picture" only grows fonder as the time passes.In "Rolling Stone" magazine's 1989 "Hot Issue", then newcomer Steven Soderbergh was profiled as that season's hot new filmmaker. One remark was about how students in LA based film schools have their works shown at big events, attended by many hot shots in the entertainment industry. Meaning, a young woman or man could have a "bomb" of sorts on their hands before even turning professional! Not the most nurturing environment for youthful talent.Bacon's "Nick Chapman" gets the full treatment as a guy on the fast track after winning his school's big prize for his project. And things don't go wonderfully well after he starts meeting the movers and shakers in his new world. The late, great J.T. Walsh is a studio head (for the time being) who seduces Chapman into believing all his dreams are possible. Michael McKean is Chapman's friend, a cinematographer who isn't necessarily the first choice to shoot his debut. And John Cleese, Martin Short and Jennifer Jason Leigh have great turns as Chapman's different associates that can't really stop the grimly funny runaway train he's on until his self respect finally returns and he sees everything for what it really is.Most films about film-making are not that good. This is a major exception to that rule. Very bitter, but also very sweet. Just like life!