The Big Picture (1989)

93% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
37% of users liked it
(2,962 ratings)

Another "get even with Hollywood" satire in the tradition of SOB and Movers and Shakers, The Big Picture is an elongated inside joke complete with un-billed celebrity cameos. In this first feature-film directorial effort by actor/writer Christopher Guest, Kevin Bacon plays a "boy wonder" director… More Another "get even with Hollywood" satire in the tradition of SOB and Movers and Shakers, The Big Picture is an elongated inside joke complete with un-billed celebrity cameos. In this first feature-film directorial effort by actor/writer Christopher Guest, Kevin Bacon plays a "boy wonder" director whose willingness to compromise his ideals allows him to keep afloat in Tinseltown. Bacon's corruption begins when his first Hollywood project, a black-and-white experimental film about an over-40 menage a trois, is distorted beyond recognition into a color, big-budget "youth trip". Bacon hasn't really sold out; he's merely waiting to accrue enough industry clout to strike back at the Philistines in charge. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Christopher Guest
Written By: Christopher Guest
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Sep 15, 1989 Wide
On DVD: Oct 8, 2002
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
Sometimes hilarious, sometimes chilling anti-Hollywood comedy.
Dan Fienberg, Zap2it.com
Very slight, but it hits most of its Hollywood targets with a certain degree of savvy.
Scott Weinberg, Apollo Guide
The Movie Machine is skewered and lampooned with an impressive accuracy, but it never crosses the line into becoming an outright bash.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
If only it was as clever as it believes itself to be.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Ken S

Kind of like the Player and The Scret Life of Walter Mitty, but not nearly as good as either.
Jason S

This was a good flick but there were elements introduced in the beginning of the movie that fell away. All of the actors did fine jobs but the movie was a little predictable. It was fun for the person who is familiar with how Hollywood works. One funny thing... it seemed that every… More
This was a good flick but there were elements introduced in the beginning of the movie that fell away. All of the actors did fine jobs but the movie was a little predictable. It was fun for the person who is familiar with how Hollywood works. One funny thing... it seemed that every character in the movie who smoke was played by someone who obviously didn't.
Leo L

Hilarious!

Cast

            Kevin Bacon as Nick Chapman

            Emily Longstreth as Susan Rawlings

            J.T. Walsh as Allen Habel

            Jennifer Jason Leigh as Lydia Johnson

            Michael McKean as Emmett Sumner

            Kim Miyori as Jenny Sumner

            Teri Hatcher as Gretchen

            Jason Gould as Carl Manknik

            Don Franklin as Todd Marvin

            Fran Drescher as Polo Habel

            Stephen Collins as Attorney

            Roddy McDowall as Judge

            Elliott Gould as Lawyer (uncredited)

            Robert Bauer as Wounded Soldier

            Richard Belzer as Video Show Host

            Caitlin Clarke as Sharon

            Scott Coffey as Waiter

            Holly Fields as Daughter

            David Hayward as George

            Alice Hirson as Mrs. Chapman

            Stan Ivar as Charlie

            Gary Kroeger as Mark

            Walter Olkewicz as Babe Ruth

            Grant Owens as Mr. Chapman

            Yvonne Peattie as Mrs. Feldzar

            Welsey Pfenning as Woman in Cabin

            Vladimir Skomarovsky as Man in Nick's Movie

            Victor Steinbach as Andres Vargiak

            Tracy Brooks Swope as Lori Pressman

            Nancy Valen as Young Sharon

            Perla Walter as Housekeeper

            Scott Williamson as Restaurant Manager

            Brad Zutaut as Surfer

            Suzy Cote as Mindy Habel

            Matthew Eichler as Piano Player

            C.W. Hemingway as Joey

            Patty Horweth as Woman with Fridge

            Jennifer Karr as Woman in Restaurant

            Arlene Lorre as Cleopatra

            Tom Maier as Building Manager

            Pamela Morris as Cheryl

            Lulie Newcomb as Receptionist

            Nadine Lenore Patterson as Twin

            George Rogan as Security Guard/Nazi

            Suzee Slater as Stewardess

            Martin Lund as PEZ People

            Tim Landers as PEZ People

            Bruce Kirby as Businessman

            Buddy Garion as Man in Restaurant

            Michael Miller as PEZ People

            Dan Schneider as Jonathan/Tristan-Bennet

            Richard Blake as Abe Lincoln

            John Cleese
            
            June Lockhart
            
            Martin Short
            
See full cast