The Big White (2005)

30% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
55% of users liked it
(7,513 ratings)

A travel agent in deep debt attempts to swindle a by-the-books insurance agent by claiming the corpse of a gangland hit as his long-missing brother in director Mark Mylod's dark crime comedy. Paul Barnell (Robin Williams) is in trouble. Saddled with a cantankerous wife (Holly Hunter) and unable to… More A travel agent in deep debt attempts to swindle a by-the-books insurance agent by claiming the corpse of a gangland hit as his long-missing brother in director Mark Mylod's dark crime comedy. Paul Barnell (Robin Williams) is in trouble. Saddled with a cantankerous wife (Holly Hunter) and unable to convince ambitious insurance company agent Ted (Giovanni Ribisi) to pay off the one-million-dollar claim on his brother, who has been missing for five years, Paul's debts are mounting as fast as his life is crumbling. When Paul discovers the corpse of a nameless man who ended up on the wrong side of the mob, desperation drives him to stage a grizzly death scene and make it look as if his brother has suffered a horrible fate. Though the local police force is easily taken by Paul's elaborate ruse, it's going to take a little more convincing before Ted is willing to sign off on the hefty insurance payment. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Mark Mylod
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 16, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Jun 6, 2006
Studio: Echo Bridge Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Robert Koehler, Variety
Snowed under by misjudgment on every level, The Big White is DOA.
John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter
Never completely finds its balance.
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com
A lame Fargo wannabe. Despite Robin Williams and a decent supporting cast, this was barely released to theaters, and it's easy to see why.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
A cross-between "Raising Arizona" and "The Big Lebowski". A good film.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
Though it doesn't have the subtlety, complexity, and measured wit of Fargo and doesn't seem to say as much about the human condition, as a simple black comedy The Big White is great fun.
David Cornelius, eFilmCritic.com
It's one of those movies that wants to be hip, but winds up being irritating in a pretentious, poseur sort of way.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Though it's better than Robin Williams' recent theatrical hit R.V., it still doesn't quite click.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
a very good and underrated little movie, full of black comedy, clever coincidences and plot twists
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
Enjoyably quirky thriller with bizarre, off-the-wall performances from its entire cast and some striking location work.
Robert Abele, L.A. Weekly
March of the Penguins was funnier and edgier.

Read all 10 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Film C

Its a weirdly good film with funny and unbelievable bits i think its sort of dark humour but its weird and heart warming as its gives erfect reasons for why robin williams did wat he did with twist unvieling at every moment so worth a watch
Jose Z

A very good movie, a black comedy you really can enjoy. I follows the same formula of the Cohen brothers film Fargo, but not with the same impact. Maybe the story and the plot aren't fully developed and has some holes on them, but all that is very well balanced with a great… More
A very good movie, a black comedy you really can enjoy. I follows the same formula of the Cohen brothers film Fargo, but not with the same impact. Maybe the story and the plot aren't fully developed and has some holes on them, but all that is very well balanced with a great direction from Mark Mylod, the excellent photography and great landscapes and the wonderful cast in it. Robiln Williams is great as always, he is always reinventing himself in every new movie he make, Giovanni Ribisi's performance is also excellent, he is a young actor but is proving that he can manage difficult roles like this one, Woody Harrelson participation is kinda brief but its performance is very convincing, but the one that steals all the movie with its exceptional performance is Holly Hunter who is really hilarious, never believed that she could handle comedy in that way. Definitely a must see movie.
Morgan S

lol really funny! his wife is really funny
FanGirl B

An usual little gem.
Jay R

Hilarious dark Comedy with some fantastic dramatic moments... Robin Williams, Holly Hunter, Giovanni Ribsi and Woody Harrelson all do amazing jobs in there respective parts... great comedy and drama from this movie, I really liked it...