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Find out how both a great cast plus a cool story come to equal a very average movie

It has been 5 years since everything went wrong for Paul Barnell (Robin Williams). During that span of time his brother Raymond (Woody Harrelson) has disappeared, his business is close to chapter five and his wife Margaret (Holly Hunter) has self diagnosed herself with Tourette Syndrome. Trying to get his life back together, Paul tries to claim on his brother’s million dollar life insurance policy.

Paul is informed by Ted (Giovanni Ribisi), a hot shot insurance  claims specialist who is one great case away from a tranfer and promotion, that in the state of Alaska 7 years is required to claim a person legally missing. So when Paul finds a random dead body in the dumpster outside of his business, he decides to bring his brother back. After informing several people that Raymond is back in town, Paul plans his elborate death. Pushing his body off a cliff, to make it look like a hiking accident, Paul coats the body with deli meat and bacon so wild animals will attack the body and make it unrecognizable.

Now with a body and proof of death, Paul decides to claim on the life insurance policy. The only problem is that his brother is not dead, and the mob wants the body from the dumpster back.

This film caught my eye immediately, mostly due to the cast. The entire cast has been in movies that I have loved. When reading the synopsis, this movie seemed like something I’d love. Robin Williams delivers another beautifully zany performance alongside the underrated Giovanni Ribisi. Holly Hunter, in her supposedly Tourette afflicted role, was hilarious in the film but not extremely well developed. This is where The Big White falls short, character development.

Throughout the film, I found myself really enjoying alot of the secondary characters but not the primary ones. The film seemed to put alot of focus on Williams and Ribisi, when in the film Hunter and Lohman are supportive characters and lovely opposites to their counterparts. Woody Harrelson is slowly finding a comfy niche within cameo and small support roles, and his role in this film is not much different. I have said this again and again, acting like a drunk idiot does not take much acting skill.

The DVD was actually in DTS but, why? The video quality was suprisingly good and very crisp. Special features are slim to none on this feature. If you are a Robin Williams fan, especially the dramatic Robin Williams of late, make sure to run out and buy this DVD. If you have some time to kill, and want to see an original film, make sure to check out The Big White.

The Upside:
Great story, an original script for once
The Downside:
The film became a little bland and drawn out for a stretch
On the Side:
Filmed in Winnipeg, Robin Williams spent some time on the set amusing local children and autographing everything from movies to children’s shoes

Breaking Down the DVD:
The Film: C-
The Delivery: B
The Extras: D
Final Grade: C

Stats:
Release Date: June 13, 2006
Starring: Robin Williams, Giovanni Ribisi, Holly Hunter, Woody Harrelson, Alison Lohman
Directed by: Mark Mylod
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, DTS
MPAA:
Country: USA
Run Time: 105 minutes
Studio: Platinum Disc