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IMDbPro

The Big Picture

  • 19891989
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
5.8K
YOUR RATING
Kevin Bacon in The Big Picture (1989)
Watch ’Official Trailer’
Play trailer2:08
1 Video
22 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama
  • Romance
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.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.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.
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
5.8K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Christopher Guest
  • Writers
    • Michael Varhol(story)
    • Christopher Guest(story)
    • Michael McKean(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Kevin Bacon
    • Jennifer Jason Leigh
    • Emily Longstreth
Top credits
  • Director
    • Christopher Guest
  • Writers
    • Michael Varhol(story)
    • Christopher Guest(story)
    • Michael McKean(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Kevin Bacon
    • Jennifer Jason Leigh
    • Emily Longstreth
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 49User reviews
    • 32Critic reviews
    • 64Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:08
    Official Trailer

    Photos22

    Kevin Bacon, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Jason Leigh, J.T. Walsh, and Martin Short in The Big Picture (1989)
    Kevin Bacon in The Big Picture (1989)
    Teri Hatcher in The Big Picture (1989)
    Teri Hatcher in The Big Picture (1989)
    Teri Hatcher in The Big Picture (1989)
    J.T. Walsh in The Big Picture (1989)
    Kevin Bacon and Teri Hatcher in The Big Picture (1989)
    Kevin Bacon and Teri Hatcher in The Big Picture (1989)
    Kevin Bacon and Jennifer Jason Leigh in The Big Picture (1989)
    Kevin Bacon and Jennifer Jason Leigh in The Big Picture (1989)
    Emily Longstreth in The Big Picture (1989)
    Kevin Bacon and Michael McKean in The Big Picture (1989)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Kevin Bacon
    Kevin Bacon
    • Nick Chapmanas Nick Chapman
    Jennifer Jason Leigh
    Jennifer Jason Leigh
    • Lydia Johnsonas Lydia Johnson
    Emily Longstreth
    Emily Longstreth
    • Susan Rawlingsas Susan Rawlings
    J.T. Walsh
    J.T. Walsh
    • Allen Habelas Allen Habel
    Michael McKean
    Michael McKean
    • Emmet Sumneras Emmet Sumner
    Kim Miyori
    Kim Miyori
    • Jenny Sumneras Jenny Sumner
    Teri Hatcher
    Teri Hatcher
    • Gretchenas Gretchen
    Dan Schneider
    • Jonathan Tristan-Bennetas Jonathan Tristan-Bennet
    Jason Gould
    Jason Gould
    • Carl Manknikas Carl Manknik
    Tracy Brooks Swope
    Tracy Brooks Swope
    • Lori Pressmanas Lori Pressman
    Don Franklin
    Don Franklin
    • Todd Marvinas Todd Marvin
    Gary Kroeger
    Gary Kroeger
    • Markas Mark
    Alice Hirson
    Alice Hirson
    • Mrs. Chapmanas Mrs. Chapman
    Grant Owens
    • Mr. Chapmanas Mr. Chapman
    Fran Drescher
    Fran Drescher
    • Polo Habelas Polo Habel
    Suzy Cote
    • Mindy Habelas Mindy Habel
    • (as Suzy Coté)
    Eddie Albert
    Eddie Albert
    • M.C.as M.C.
    • (as Eddie Albert Sr.)
    June Lockhart
    June Lockhart
    • Janet Kingsleyas Janet Kingsley
    • Director
      • Christopher Guest
    • Writers
      • Michael Varhol(story) (screenplay)
      • Christopher Guest(story) (screenplay)
      • Michael McKean(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Martin Short: Neil Sussman. Short regrets not appearing in the film's credits. The reason he is uncredited: He was considered an "extended cameo" only having four scenes, totaling seven minutes. In his autobiography, he was so proud of the Neil Sussman character, that he wished he'd asked for screen credit.
    • Goofs
      A pointed piece of equipment moves up and out of frame as Lydia is talking to Nick in her house.
    • Quotes

      Neil Sussman: I'm very, very aware... that you are seeing other agents. And I think it's good that you are. Finally, I mean it's healthy. But, this is the thing. If you decide to sign with me, you're gonna get more than an agent. You're gonna get three people.

      [Holds up four fingers]

      Neil Sussman: You're gonna get an agent, a mother, a father, a shoulder to cry on, someone who knows this business inside and out. And if anyone ever tries to cross you, I'll grab them by the balls and squeeze 'til they're dead.

    • Alternate versions
      The 2015 Blu-ray from Mill Creek has only a mono soundtrack. It also changes out the end card of A Columbia Pictures Release for a modern Sony Pictures Television logo.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Sea of Love/True Love/The Big Picture/Shirley Valentine/The Rachel Papers (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      The Whites of Their Eyes
      Written by Christopher Guest and Michael McKean

      Performed by PEZ® People

      Sung by Michael McKean

    User reviews49

    Review
    Top review
    Nick Chapman - an indie-film pioneer?
    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.
    helpful•13
    2
    • Dasher111
    • Apr 3, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 15, 1989 (Brazil)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Sony Movie Channel (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Nuevos cineastas
    • Filming locations
      • Ballroom, Park Plaza Hotel - 607 S. Park View Street, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Aspen Film Society
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $5,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $117,463
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $33,071
      • Sep 17, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $117,463
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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