The Big Picture (1989)

The Big Picture: Directed by Christopher Guest. With Kevin Bacon, Emily Longstreth, J.T. Walsh, Jennifer Jason Leigh. Film school grad Nick Chapman thought his career was made after his award winning short film, but discovered Hollywood wasn’t as easy as it seems.

“Itu0026#39;s hard to believe itu0026#39;s been twenty years since this came out. Kevin Bacon is established as one of the best American actors (also, one of the greats whou0026#39;ve never been nominated for an Oscar!). Teri Hatcher is the star of a huge television hit. Christopher Guest still makes brilliant films and gives his actors more freedom than almost any other director today. And my affection for u0026quot;The Big Pictureu0026quot; only grows fonder as the time passes.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIn u0026quot;Rolling Stoneu0026quot; magazineu0026#39;s 1989 u0026quot;Hot Issueu0026quot;, then newcomer Steven Soderbergh was profiled as that seasonu0026#39;s hot new filmmaker. One remark was about how students in LA based film schools have their works shown at big events, attended by many hot shots in the entertainment industry. Meaning, a young woman or man could have a u0026quot;bombu0026quot; of sorts on their hands before even turning professional! Not the most nurturing environment for youthful talent.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBaconu0026#39;s u0026quot;Nick Chapmanu0026quot; gets the full treatment as a guy on the fast track after winning his schoolu0026#39;s big prize for his project. And things donu0026#39;t go wonderfully well after he starts meeting the movers and shakers in his new world. The late, great J.T. Walsh is a studio head (for the time being) who seduces Chapman into believing all his dreams are possible. Michael McKean is Chapmanu0026#39;s friend, a cinematographer who isnu0026#39;t necessarily the first choice to shoot his debut. And John Cleese, Martin Short and Jennifer Jason Leigh have great turns as Chapmanu0026#39;s different associates that canu0026#39;t really stop the grimly funny runaway train heu0026#39;s on until his self respect finally returns and he sees everything for what it really is.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eMost films about film-making are not that good. This is a major exception to that rule. Very bitter, but also very sweet. Just like life!”