Big Nothing (2006)

A frustrated, unemployed teacher joining forces with a scammer and his girlfriend in a blackmailing scheme.

Director:

Jean-Baptiste Andrea

Writers:

Jean-Baptiste Andrea, Billy Asher Rosenfeld

Stars:

David Schwimmer, Simon Pegg, Alice Eve

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Schwimmer	...	Charlie
Simon Pegg	...	Gus
Alice Eve	...	Josie
Natascha McElhone	...	Penelope Wood
Jon Polito	...	Agent Hymes
Mimi Rogers	...	Mrs. Smalls
Billy Asher Rosenfeld	...	Deputy Garman (as Billy Asher)
Julian Glover	...	80 Year Old Blind Man
Olivia Peterson	...	Emily
Sarah Edmondson	...	Isabella
Amber Sealey	...	Call Center Supervisor
Shauna Shim	...	Melanie #1
Laurence Bouvard	...	Melanie #2
Mindy Lee Raskin	...	Melanie #3
Kenneth Jay	...	Barman

Storyline

Charlie is an ex-teacher turned reluctant call center employee who gets fired on the first day. Distraught on being unable to provide for his daughter Emily and cop wife, Penelope, he is suddenly contacted by Gus, an aspiring scam artist who presents Charlie with a seemingly snag-free plan to make some cash: Blackmail Reverend Smalls a man of the cloth, who's frequently turned up in the company database of visitors to illegal porn-sites. Gus plans on extorting Reverend Smalls, with the intention of publicly exposing his secret shame, should he refuse, with this scandal potentially destroying the man's career. Normally cautious Charlie, is keen on participating in this scam, confident that with this money maker he'll garner from the deal and will finally help turn things around for him and his family. Joined by one-time teenage pageant queen Josie McBroom Gus's ex, the plan goes ahead...but it all goes wrong as Reverend Smalls dies...thanks to this trio, with this only being the start ...

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Plot Keywords:

reverend | blackmail | daughter | call center | scheme | 

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Taglines:

A comedy that gets away with murder.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, language and a scene of sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [uk]

Country:

UK Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 December 2006 (UK)

Also Known As:

Grande Coisa

Filming Locations:

Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£83,829 (UK) (1 December 2006)

Gross:

£83,829 (UK) (1 December 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Pathé, Ingenious Film Partners, Pathé

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At one point in the movie, a Deputy asks David Schwimmer's character what his name is and he says Stephen Hawking. Alice Eve appeared in the BBC drama movie Hawking.

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Goofs

After the accident with the fat guy, it starts to rain but neither Gus or the fat guy has rain on their clothing or hair.

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Quotes

Mrs. Smalls: Well I'll be... I haven't heard Pink Floyd in years.

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Crazy Credits

At the end titles just as the words 'No animals and no actors were harmed during the making of this film' are displayed the credits quickly cut to an outtake in which Simon Pegg accidently punches Billy Asher in the face. The crew rush in to make sure Asher's not hurt. When the credits return the words are changed to 'No animals were harmed during the making of this film.'

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Connections

Featured in Friday Night with Jonathan Ross: Episode #11.11 (2006)

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Soundtracks

"Bound for the Floor"
Written by Scott Lucas
Performed by Local H

User Reviews

Didn't want it to end!!!!!

Just saw Big Nothing at a press screening and absolutely loved it. It's hilariously dark and funny. I'd rather not reveal anything of the plot but let's just say there are plenty of laugh out loud moments, yet sometimes, the film is surprisingly tense, keeping you on the edge of your seat. I love Simon Pegg, and though I was skeptical of pairing him with Schwimmer, I have to say the two work brilliantly together. Schwimmer couldn't be further from his Friends character, and Pegg is, well, Pegg! Judging from the reaction of the audience around me, this should be a hit. Can't wait to go back and see it again. Only criticism, I would've loved 15 more minutes, but at the same time, I did enjoy the crazy pace of the movie. Oh, and the soundtrack rocks!