The Big Picture (1989 film)
- Kevin Bacon: Nick Chapman
- Emily Longstreth: Susan Rawlings
- J. T. Walsh: Allen Habel
- Jennifer Jason Leigh: Lydia Johnson
- Michael McKean: Emmet Sumner
- Kim Miyori: Jenny Sumner
- Teri Hatcher: Gretchen
- Dan Schneider: Jonathan Tristan - Bennet
- Jason Gould: Carl Manknik
- Tracy Brooks Swope: Lori Pressman
- Don Franklin: Todd Marvin
- Alice Hirson: Mrs. Chapman
- Grant Owens: Mr. Chapman
- Fran Drescher: Polo Habel
- Roddy McDowall: Judge
- John Cleese: Frankie
- Martin Short: Neil Sussman
The Big Picture is an American comedy film directed by Christopher Guest from the year 1989.
Action
The student Nick Chapman concluded his studies at a film school. He won for his short film a prestigious award; select the beginning, the competition entries - including those of Lydia Johnson and Chapman - shown.
The Studio Manager Allen Abel Chapman offers the realization of a project, via the Chapman thinks already for a longer time. Chapman wants to film a love triangle in which two men and a woman change in the course of the action. Habel suggests that two women play in it. Later, the action is moved from winter to summer. The original concept Chapman was changed several times to a very different film is planned as first planned.
The actress Gretchen wants to get a role in the planned film. She tries to seduce Chapman. Chapman argues with his girlfriend Susan Rawlings and draws from the common apartment. It also comes to differences between Chapman and his old friend Emmet Sumner.
After a change in studio management, the project Chapmans is put on hold. Chapman tried in vain to warm up the new studio boss for his film - he suggests further concept changes before they once called Habel. Chapman learns that Gretchen has a boyfriend with whom she wants to be. He lives by doing odd jobs.
Chapman meets Lydia Johnson, who also lives by a temporary job. They jointly shoot a music video in which Chapman uses parts of its successful competition entry. The film industry is aware of the video, Chapman receives numerous offers. He reconciles with Sumner and Rawlings.
Chapman wants a movie after its original concept rotate although his agent Neil Sussman says that this was a big mistake. In the last scene we see the filming; two men and a woman playing in front of a house, which is strewn with artificial snow. The team includes Chapman Sumner and Johnson.
Reviews
Peter Travers wrote in Rolling Stone magazine of 17 April 2001, the " maudlin " optimism of the filmmakers look like a commercially -related compromise. The writers and the actors were much better in the other films.
Rotten Tomatoes wrote, the directorial debut of Christopher Guest 'll take the Hollywood system targeted. There the representations of the " talented " John Cleese, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Martin Short were mentioned.
Background
The film was shot in Los Angeles and Agoura Hills ( California). Its production costs amounted to an estimated 5 million U.S. dollars. The film played in theaters in the USA an approximately 117 thousand U.S. dollars.