Every time I write a negative review for IMDb, I have to brace myself for negative feedback, sometimes in extreme form. Being a person of at least some strong principles and convictions, here goes anyway.More than anything else, Kevin Kline running around the streets of Beaufort, South Carolina in teeny, tiny running shorts symbolizes this truly sad effort most accurately. As a long distance runner for decades, even before this film was produced, I would never have the audacity to wear anything like those, and I felt very embarrassed for him every time he appeared in them, which was much too often. Suddenly, I realized how embarrassed I was for everyone else connected to this movie, and it wasn't only because of Kevin Kline's ridiculously small running shorts. By the way, does anyone know why the running shoes were delivered for the entire group in the first place? I saw a few people playing touch football, but they didn't need brand new running shoes to pursue that momentary activity.As one who attended two different Big Ten (now Big Fourteen) universities during the late 60's and early 70's, I could not relate to this film in any possible way. Admittedly, I was fiercely independent back in those days, so I never affiliated with a fraternity or any association that substituted for one, which is what this group appeared to be. The dialogue was often inane, shallow, and just outright monotonous to the point of tears. No offense to the French film aficionados of the world, but I have seen far too many French films in which a set of characters sit around and express their philosophy of life, as was the case here, so it is surprising that this movie was so successful among American audiences, including those who did not attend Big Ten universities in the late sixties, as I did, and even reached Oscar nominations not only for best picture (!) but for best writing, screenplay directly for the screen(!). Seriously? Was 1984 such a lean year for Hollywood? I'll have to look that up some time when I'm as bored as I was while watching this.As far as the acting was concerned, I have seen some of these folks in far better movies, so I'm not even going to comment about their individual performances. I felt very uncomfortable for them all as they were forced to recite such awful lines, and I rarely believed in any of their performances as I don't think that they believed in themselves under these deplorable circumstances. I'll even be kind to Meg Tillie by not dwelling on how much her mechanical and empty headed character especially and thoroughly annoyed me, and she wasn't the only one.In the end, we have a group of totally self-absorbed and self-obsessed baby boomers, a group of which I am a somewhat reluctant member, gathering to mourn one of their best friends who had just shockingly committed suicide for reasons that were never fully or properly explored. So, what did they do for most of the time? Lament ad nauseam over their own, selfish needs, desires, and shortcomings before suddenly erupting in dance to late sixties and early seventies songs that were quite honestly far from the best of so many possibilities that had been produced at the time. In fact, I found that the often abrupt transition of these songs not only served as an awkward focal point to an otherwise boring film but even disrupted, often disturbingly, whatever action was struggling to transpire on the screen. Although "Joy to the World" by Three Dig Night would have been one of my last choices from 1971 to close out this tedium, I was very happy in an odd way when it began because I realized that the fat lady, bless her heart, had finally appeared and that the entire, extremely weary ordeal was finally coming to a merciful end.I gave it a three only because of the picturesque on-site locale of Beaufort and the very pleasing surrounding South Carolina low country.

I would have given this a 7 20 years ago, but it hasn't worn that well with me. The basic point of the story, that this could be you and your group of friends (and probably will be one day), is not lost. Many have already experienced a similar situation. Everyone raves about the music, and while there is no doubt it is good, this is where I have my largest bone to pick. The overly clichéd use of most of these songs is unforgivable. "Bad Moon Rising", in fact, makes the leap from cliché to utterly absurd. Add in the fact that Glenn Close has never done a thing for me, and a 6 is generous I'd say

The Big Chill tells the story of eight friends who come together after the suicide of one of the best of them. They are all searching for something they lost. They find that all they needed was each other.This film launched the careers of a lot of stars. The best performances in the movie were some of the actors and actresses that mainstreamed Hollywood for years to com. Glen Close, Jeff Goldblum, Tom Berenger, Kevin Kline, and William Hurt were the best.The movie defines a generation. And the movie defines a part of life that we all reach where the questions we ask have no answers. The Big Chill is a great film to watch when you are looking for happiness in a sad place. One of my friends died recently and I stumbled upon this movie soon afterward. It is a movie that never should be remade because along with defining a generation it speaks across generations. I have a feeling that this movie will find you when you need it. Just don't pass it by.

This one has it all. If you ever had a really tight knit group of school friends that you absolutely love and then spent years without them, this film will allow you to feel like you are having a reunion with your friends. The closeness, inside jokes, various personalities, mini-dramas all add to the flavor. The soundtrack is one of the best of all time and the storytellers use the music to connect the audience with the characters. For such a large cast of strong actors, this group does a wonderful job not to overshadow one another. It is a harmonious blend of styles and personalities that can make solid use of non-verbal communication. I have viewed thousands of movies. Very, very few deserve a second viewing. The Big Chill is one that I have enjoyed at least ten times over the years.