The Big Picture
Seen it?1989 | 100 min | Comedy, Romance, Drama
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (87% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a lukewarm 5.9 out of 10 from audiences and a box office loss. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics and anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved (500) Days of Summer or Is This Thing On?, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Funny with heart, romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 40 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Hollywood beckons for recent film school grad Nick Chapman, who is out to capitalize on the momentum from his national award-winning student film. Studio executive Allen Habel seduces Nick with a dream deal to make his first feature, but once production gets rolling, corporate reality begins to intervene: Nick is unable to control a series of compromises to his high-minded vision, and it's all he can do to maintain his integrity in the midst of filmmaking chaos.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
87% on Rotten Tomatoes, 64 on Metacritic
- AudiencesBelow par
5.9 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$117K worldwide on a $5 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 48K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Christopher Guest
- Kevin BaconNick Chapman
- Emily LongstrethSusan Rawlings
- J.T. WalshAllen Habel
- Teri HatcherGretchen
- Michael McKeanEmmet Sumner
- Jennifer Jason LeighLydia Johnson
- Kim MiyoriJenny Sumner
- Dan SchneiderJonathan Tristan-Bennet
- Jason GouldCarl Manknik
- Tracy Brooks SwopeLori Pressman