Movie review: The Big White

OMG, you poor saps are missing out. All you law abiding citizens that don't download illegal movies off the internet. It's not all porn y'know! This is exactly why it's worth it to break a few laws now and again. With this movie not going mainstream and relegated to art houses and film festivals, many will never even hear about this little gem.

In the big white landscape of Alaska (actually shot in Winnipeg... in May), Paul Barnell (Robin Williams) needs money. His wife (Holly Hunter) is mental and his travel agency is failing. The life insurance policy on his long time missing brother is so close, yet so far due to technicalities. The solution gets dropped off in front of his door and his problem mushrooms as he becomes the big white whale for an over-zealous insurance agent (Giovanni Ribisi), and his wife is held by two really sweet hitmen. One can't help but like the one doing wrong for good reason rather than the one doing good for the wrong reasons. This comedy is morbid and quirky, the characters simple but lovable, and never has Tourette been so funny. What more can one ask for?

Definitely along the same themes as Fargo, especially the final scene. Although I didn't like Fargo that much and thought it was just plain over-rated. The Big White is much more enjoyable. The music is also excellent and so fitting in every scene. Big name actors too with Robin Williams, Holly Hunter, Woody Harrelson and up and comers Giovanni Ribisi, Alison Lohman, and Tim Blake Nelson. If only Meat Loaf was in the movie, instead of the guy that played him.

I don't have enough thumbs to put up, and this will definitely be in my DVD collection as soon as I find it.

20/21 stars! I love this movie!

The Big White

Trivia: Same studio as Lord of War, in theatres this week. Now I want to see it even more! The writer of The Big White is from Winnipeg, and also wrote a short film Farm Sluts, about spiraling misunderstandings that began with unsafe-for-work e-mail. Those Manitobans...