The Big White (2005)
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30% of critics liked it
(10 reviews) -
55% of users liked it
(7,679 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… 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
- Directed By
- Mark Mylod
- Written By
- Collin Friesen
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Dec 16, 2005 Limited
- Studio
- Echo Bridge
Critic Reviews
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Robert Koehler, Variety
Snowed under by misjudgment on every level, The Big White is DOA.
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John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter
Never completely finds its balance.
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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.
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Clint Morris, Moviehole
A cross-between "Raising Arizona" and "The Big Lebowski". A good film.
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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.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Robin Williams
as Paul Barnell
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Holly Hunter
as Margaret Barnell
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Giovanni Ribisi
as Ted Watters
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Woody Harrelson
as Raymond Barnell
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Tim Blake Nelson
as Gary
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Alison Lohman
as Tiffany
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W. Earl Brown
as Jimbo
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Craig March
as Howard
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Brenda McDonald
as Mrs Wherry
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Frank C. Turner
as Dave
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Frank Adamson
as Detective
- Deborah Aquila
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Ralph Alderman
as Mr Branch
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Harry Nelken
as Warehouse Owner Spellman
- Tricia Wood
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Stephen Eric McIntyre
as Bill City Worker 2
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Marina Stephenson-Kerr
as Avis
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Deena Fontaine
as Female Cop
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William Merasty
as Cam
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Andrea Shawcross
as hair stylist
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Ryan Miranda
as Korean-Am Teenager
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Joanne Rodriguez
as TV Reporter
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Eric Epstein
as Minister
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Jeff Kinner
as Arnith
