Review

Borrowing liberally from John Sayles' wonderful Return of the Secaucus Seven, director and coauthor Kasdan has fashioned an equally entertaining and smartly written ode to the lasting power of friendship. Utilizing a talented all-star cast, Kasdan's comedy-drama focuses on the reunion of a group of college friends from the '60s who have come together in the '80s for the funeral for one of their own. Kline and Close are a married couple who play host to their clique, which includes TV star Berenger, People magazine writer Goldblum (in a particularly sharp portrayal), and injured Vietnam vet Hurt. What distinguishes Kasdan's story are the personable characters and the remarkable relationships between them. The Big Chill is as comfortable as a longtime friend. (Includes featurette on the making of the film)