The Big Chill

Lawrence Kasdan, 1983 (7.4*)
Probably never in film history has a hit soundtrack using rock and soul songs had so much effect in making a movie into a hit. There's really not much here other than an enjoyable reunion of old college buddies from the 60's, who have gathered together at Kevin Kline and Glenn Close's house in the south for the funeral of one of their inner circle. Jobeth Williams comes, now properly married, Hollywood tv star Tom Berenger also, William Hurt, who has Vietnam War problems, Mary Kay Place, whose bio-clock is ticking, and Jeff Goldblum, who can't seem to stop trying to get laid; Meg Tilly is already there, she was living with Alex when he died. Overall a pleasant trifle, not very deep.

Similar to John Sayles' Return of the Seacausus Seven, and Barry Levinson's Diner (1983), which is the best of this type of all dialogue film. Three Oscar® nominations, including best picture.

Trivia: This was Kevin Cline's first film, but he was cut before release - he plays the corpse, which they intended to show but ended up cutting all his scenes.