USA: CAST OF "THE BIG CHILL" MEET FOR 15TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION AS THE FILM IS RE- RELEASED

Record ID: 387832

  • Title: USA: CAST OF "THE BIG CHILL" MEET FOR 15TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION AS THE FILM IS RE- RELEASED
  • Date: 2nd November 1998
  • Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (NOVEMBER 2) (RTV) ( ** BEWARE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **) EXTERIOR OF PREMIERE THEATRE CAMERAS JEFF GOLDBLUM ARRIVING MARY KAY PLACE AND JOBETH WILLIAMS POSING JEFF GOLDBLUM POSING DIRECTOR LAWRENCE KASDEN SAYING (SOUNDBITE ENGLISH) "I THINK EVERYBODY HAS GOOD FRIENDS AND THEY USE THOSE FRIENDS AS A WAY TO MARK THEIR PROGRESS IN
  • Embargoed: 17th November 1998 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES AND FILM LOCATIONS
  • Country: USA
  • Reuters ID: LVAEJQ9LEJ9Z3HX6WSCE6GMOYE1Q
  • Story Text: As further proof of the inevitable ageing of the much-talked about "Baby Boom" generation, the original cast members of the 1983 hit drama "The Big Chill" gathered in Los Angeles on Monday (November 2) to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the movie's release.
    In addition to the special gala screening in Los Angeles, Columbia Pictures is celebrating the anniversary of the film by re-releasing it in select theatres throughout the United States.
    Originally released in September 1983, "The Big Chill"
    received Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress, Glenn Close.The film grossed more than 53 million dollars and its classic 1960's Motown soundtrack sold more than six million copies.
    It also solidly established its now prominent, but then largely unknown cast - among them William Hurt, Glenn Close, Kevin Kline, Jeff Goldblum, Meg Tilly, Jobeth Williams, Tom Berenger and Mary Kay Place.The film also further cemented its co-writer/ director Lawrence Kasdan's reputation as one of his generation's freshest voices in cinema.
    Despite his previous success with "Body Heat," Kasdan met with rejection at every juncture in his attempts to get "The Big Chill" made.Columbia Pictures eventually agreed to green-light the film.
    In the movie, a group of former college house mates who have drifted apart over the years gather at the funeral of one of their own who has committed suicide.Stunned by the loss, each comes to the reunion with a deep need to re-establish the bond of caring they once shared.
    In some ways, the film was emblematic of the conditions being faced by the ageing "Baby Boom" generation, as the characters were all members of that generation who entered adulthood as idealistic non-conformists but suddenly found themselves part of the establishment they used to rail against in the 60's.
    One cast member who didn't make the final cut of the film was then-completely unknown actor Kevin Costner.He played the friend who committed suicide, who was supposed to appear in a series of flashbacks.When those flashbacks ended up on the cutting room floor, Costner was effectively out of the film.
    But there was a consolation prize for Costner.Director Lawrence Kasden agreed to make it up to him by casting him in a starring role in his next film, the Western "Silverado." It was that film that helped establish Costner as a major Hollywood star.
    "The Big Chill" opens in select theatres on Friday, November 6.
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