IMDb > The Big Picture (1989)
The Big Picture
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Big Picture (1989) More at IMDbPro »

Videos
The Big Picture (1989) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
6.2/10   2,265 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
No change in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Michael Varhol (story) &
Christopher Guest (story) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for The Big Picture on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
30 November 1990 (UK) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Hollywood Reel To Real more
Plot:
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. full summary | add synopsis
User Comments:
Nick Chapman - an indie-film pioneer? more (21 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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
Gary Kroeger ... Mark
Alice Hirson ... Mrs. Chapman
Grant Owens ... Mr. Chapman

Fran Drescher ... Polo Habel
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
100 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Also the last cinema film acting role of Eddie Albert. more
Goofs:
Continuity: In Lydia's apartment she begins to raise her beer to her mouth in one shot, but in the next shot it's back by her side. more
Quotes:
Nick Chapman: I want you to be my friend again.
Emmet Sumner: Nick, I was always your friend.
Nick Chapman: No, I know. I, I mean, I wanna be your friend again.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Film Geek (2005) more
Soundtrack:
The Christmas Song more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
8 out of 9 people found the following comment useful.
Nick Chapman - an indie-film pioneer?, 3 April 2004
Author: Dasher111 from New York, NY

THE BIG PICTURE is a breezy satire of the movie business from the mind of writer/director Christopher Guest (BEST IN SHOW, A MIGHTY WIND). It tells the story of Nick Chapman (Kevin Bacon), a young film director who gets put through the Hollywood wringer. Studio executives, agents, and starlets all prey on Nick's naivete and he eventually sells out, neglecting his girlfriend and best friend in the process.

What's interesting about THE BIG PICTURE is its grassroots portrayal of how Nick finally launches his Hollywood career - by starting small, doing his own thing, and involving his friends. Those are basically the tenets of independent film, which boomed in the decade following THE BIG PICTURE.

Nowadays, many of those indie directors - among them Steven Soderbergh, Robert Rodriguez, and Christopher Nolan - are getting hired to do big-budget studio pictures. In fact, Soderbergh's "sex, lies, and videotape" was released the same year as this movie.

Was Nick Chapman's "Pez People" video responsible for the indie film movement? Not likely, but THE BIG PICTURE was certainly an advocate of its principles.







Was the above comment useful to you?
more (21 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Big Picture (1989)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Martin Short Avalon123
"Pez People" Song Sudy_Nym
The Big Picture res5com
Short Films headrec
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Bad and the Beautiful The Player A Star Is Born Lost in Translation Shadow of the Vampire
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Comedy section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.