The Big White (2005)

To remedy his financial problems, a travel agent has his eye on a frozen corpse, which just happens to be sought after by two hitmen.

Director:

Mark Mylod

Writer:

Collin Friesen

Stars:

Robin Williams, Holly Hunter, Giovanni Ribisi

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robin Williams	...	Paul Barnell
Holly Hunter	...	Margaret Barnell
Giovanni Ribisi	...	Ted Waters
Tim Blake Nelson	...	Gary
W. Earl Brown	...	Jimbo
Woody Harrelson	...	Raymond Barnell
Alison Lohman	...	Tiffany
Billy Merasty	...	Cam (as William Merasty)
Marina Stephenson Kerr	...	Avis
Ralph Alderman	...	Mr. Branch
Frank Adamson	...	Detective
Andrea Shawcross	...	Hair Stylist
Ryan Miranda	...	Korean-am Teenager
Craig March	...	Howard
Ty Wood	...	Paperboy

Storyline

In the middle of Alaska, travel agent Paul Barnell is near bankruptcy. Desperate to help himself and his beloved, mentally-ill wife Margaret, Paul discovers a dead body and passes it off as his missing brother Raymond, whose life is insured for up to $1,000,000. Everybody is duped, except for workaholic insurance investigator Ted Waters, who sets out to expose Paul, in hopes of being promoted out of Alaska. Meanwhile, two rookie hit men, Gary and Jimbo, discover Paul took 'their' body and kidnap Margaret, demanding the body back. Then, Raymond turns up alive, wanting in on the action...

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Plot Keywords:

alaska | life insurance | snow | investigation | bound and gagged | 

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Taglines:

When you need somebody, any body will do.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language including sexual references and some violence

Details

Official Sites:

Ascendant Pictures Official site [de]

Country:

Germany Canada New Zealand USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 December 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Golpe de suerte

Filming Locations:

Alaska, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ascendant Pictures, Capitol Films, Film & Entertainment VIP Medienfonds 2 GmbH & Co. KG

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to the director's audio commentary on the DVD, financiers wanted Meg Ryan to play Holly Hunter's role. She flirted with the idea for about a year, before eventually dropping it.

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Goofs

When Raymond Barnell is kneeling at the end, his gun moves different distances from him in different cuts (not including when it is kicked away).

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Quotes

Margaret Barnell: Oh, fucking hell. I can't breathe.

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Connections

References Law & Order (1990)

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Soundtracks

"High"
Written by Marco Marinangeli and David Fisher
Performed by Robbie Wyckoff
Courtesy of Kid Gloves Music and Compression Records

User Reviews

Underrated Film. Loved it.

What a pleasant surprise this film was for me. I ordered it via Video on Demand through the Time Warner cable system. They listed two cast members: Woody Harrelson and Alison Lohman. I love Alison (see Matchstick Men), so I decided to take a look.

Then, the opening credits begin and I see, Robin Williams, Holly Hunter, Giovanni Ribisi, and Tim Blake Nelson, and I think, Why haven't I heard of this film before?

Usually, before I order a movie with which I am not familiar, I go to IMDbPro to read a review or two. I chose not to do that this time. After seeing and enjoying the film so much, I looked at a couple of reviews and one person tore it up because it seemed to be too derivative of the Coen Brothers' work.

Ridiculous and Cynical nonsense.

All films made now are derived from other movies, or TV shows, or books. The story and the acting pulled me in and I enjoyed myself very much. I can see what the reviewer meant about the film having a Coen brothers feel, but so what.

Bravo to all involved.