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Robin Williams, Holly Hunter, Giovanni Ribisi, Woody Harrelson, Tim Blake Nelson ... see more see more... , Alison Lohman , W. Earl Brown , Craig March , Brenda McDonald , Frank C. Turner , Frank Adamson , Deborah Aquila , Ralph Alderman , Harry Nelken , Tricia Wood , Stephen Eric McIntyre , Marina Stephenson-Kerr , Deena Fontaine , William Merasty , Andrea Shawcross , Ryan Miranda , Joanne Rodriguez , Eric Epstein , Jeff Kinner

A travel agent in deep debt attempts to swindle a by-the-books insurance agent by claiming the corpse of a gangland hit as his long-missing brother in director Mark Mylod's dark crime comedy. Paul Bar... read more read more...nell (Robin Williams) is in trouble. Saddled with a cantankerous wife (Holly Hunter) and unable to convince ambitious insurance company agent Ted (Giovanni Ribisi) to pay off the one-million-dollar claim on his brother, who has been missing for five years, Paul's debts are mounting as fast as his life is crumbling. When Paul discovers the corpse of a nameless man who ended up on the wrong side of the mob, desperation drives him to stage a grizzly death scene and make it look as if his brother has suffered a horrible fate. Though the local police force is easily taken by Paul's elaborate ruse, it's going to take a little more convincing before Ted is willing to sign off on the hefty insurance payment. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

55% liked it

7,513 ratings

Critics

30% liked it

10 critics

R, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Mark Mylod

Release Date: December 16, 2005

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DVD Release Date: June 6, 2006

Stats: 481 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (481)


  • April 24, 2009
    Its a weirdly good film with funny and unbelievable bits i think its sort of dark humour but its weird and heart warming as its gives erfect reasons for why robin williams did wat he did with twist unvieling at every moment so worth a watch
  • June 20, 2007
    A very good movie, a black comedy you really can enjoy. I follows the same formula of the Cohen brothers film Fargo, but not with the same impact. Maybe the story and the plot aren't fully developed and has some holes on them, but all that is very well balanced with a great direc... read moretion from Mark Mylod, the excellent photography and great landscapes and the wonderful cast in it. Robiln Williams is great as always, he is always reinventing himself in every new movie he make, Giovanni Ribisi's performance is also excellent, he is a young actor but is proving that he can manage difficult roles like this one, Woody Harrelson participation is kinda brief but its performance is very convincing, but the one that steals all the movie with its exceptional performance is Holly Hunter who is really hilarious, never believed that she could handle comedy in that way. Definitely a must see movie.
  • September 17, 2006
    lol really funny! his wife is really funny
  • March 26, 2007
    An usual little gem.
  • September 1, 2006
    Hilarious dark Comedy with some fantastic dramatic moments... Robin Williams, Holly Hunter, Giovanni Ribsi and Woody Harrelson all do amazing jobs in there respective parts... great comedy and drama from this movie, I really liked it...
  • fb1532277942
    February 1, 2012
    fb1532277942
    I liked this. I didn't know it was an alaskan movie until I started watching but that really didn't make a differance to me. Holly hunter was histarical in this, and the story was good. Worthy entertainment.
  • April 28, 2010
    The Big White was a big mistake.
    So it isn't one of Robin Williams best work, although I can say that Holly Hunter was the funniest of them all.
    It was a bit of a weak plot and was very slow moving.
    I just wish Robin comes up with something great soon, because as of right now his... read more work is turning into shit (and that hurts me to say that of one of my all time favorite comics).
    So if I were you, I would miss this movie out!
  • December 23, 2008
    I recommend it. I think it has a great humor and the I love Holly Hunter and Robin Williams. I think the actors did a great performance and the plot is interesting and catching. The whole environment is pretty amazing since is shot in Alaska. Definitely worth seeing it.
  • November 25, 2008
    This movie is verry funny and verry underrated. It's Dark. It's a Dark comedy. If your a fan of coen brother type of comedy's you should deff. give this a look. I going to sin here and say I enjoyed this more than Fargo.
  • September 21, 2007
    A fantastic black comedy with hilarious performances by Robin Williams, Holly Hunter and Giovanni Ribisi, while also a pretty good thriller that does a good job at giving each character substance and making them relatable.

Critic Reviews


Robert Koehler
November 16, 2005
Robert Koehler, Variety

Snowed under by misjudgment on every level, The Big White is DOA. Full Review

John DeFore
October 10, 2005
John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter

Never completely finds its balance.

Chuck O'Leary
July 13, 2007
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com

A lame Fargo wannabe. Despite Robin Williams and a decent supporting cast, this was barely released to theaters, and it's easy to see why.

Clint Morris
November 7, 2006
Clint Morris, Moviehole

A cross-between "Raising Arizona" and "The Big Lebowski". A good film.

David Cornelius
June 5, 2006
David Cornelius, eFilmCritic.com

It's one of those movies that wants to be hip, but winds up being irritating in a pretentious, poseur sort of way. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
June 2, 2006
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

Though it's better than Robin Williams' recent theatrical hit R.V., it still doesn't quite click. Full Review

Christopher Null
May 30, 2006
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

a very good and underrated little movie, full of black comedy, clever coincidences and plot twists Full Review

Matthew Turner
March 23, 2006
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon

Enjoyably quirky thriller with bizarre, off-the-wall performances from its entire cast and some striking location work. Full Review

Robert Abele
December 15, 2005
Robert Abele, L.A. Weekly

March of the Penguins was funnier and edgier. Full Review

April 1, 2006
Empire Magazine

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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