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

James Woods turned down the role of Raymond Barnell after assurances could not be made that adequate medical facilities were available in Skagway, Alaska, where portions of the film would be shot. Woods had recently suffered heart problems and was concerned that should further problems arise, he would not have suitable medical care. Woody Harrelson was later cast in the role.

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Goofs

When Paul Barnell hugs his wife Margaret in the kitchen to sooth her nerves, Paul is holding her arms against his chest, there is a split second cut scene and his arms are now around her shoulders.

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Quotes

Minister: Why is God, who is a loving God, capable of such things? When someone is taken from us at such a young age, we often ask ourselves why.
Margaret Barnell: Bullshit.

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Connections

References Law & Order (1990)

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Soundtracks

"Ninety Nine Pounds Of Dynamite
Written by Lee Silver
Performed by Buddy Stuart
Courtesy of Tru-Gems Records

User Reviews

Fargoesque!

The Big White focus on travel agent Paul Barnell (Robin Williams), and him trying to overcome his financial dilemmas. After failing to cash out the insurance policy of his brother, who is missing since 5 years and assumed dead, he stumbles across a frozen corpse. A new opportunity arises, but not without problems! While trying to get the corpse to pass of as his dead brother, Paul need to handle the two hit men (W. Earl Brown and Tim Blake Nelson) wanting their corpse back and keep one step ahead of insurance agent Ted (Giovanni Ribisi).One heck of a stew is cooking!

You can't avoid comparing The Big White with the Coen brothers' Fargo, since they're similar in style and story. Fargo, however, is better. But this film is far from bad, and it's not as black a comedy as the Coens-flick.

Acting and characters are wonderful. The script works perfectly. The pace is sometimes on the slow side, but not for long. The story is a mixture of love, comedy, drama, sadness and perhaps a wee bit of hatred. Good stuff for a movie in other words! You won't get disappointed by this film, unless you've got something against the similarities with Fargo. If you loved Fargo, you'll like this one. Perhaps even more. 8/10