Customer Reviews

Attention Shoppers [VHS]

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I had the pleasure of watching this movie and I enjoyed it very much. I also ran across a review by Bill Stamet on April 9, 1999 in the Chicago Sun TImes, which expresses my sentiments exactly. Directed by Philip Charles Mackenzie and written by Nestor Carbonell, this exceptional independent feature stars Carbonell (co'star on NBC's "Suddenly Susan") playing the role of Enrique Suarez, a Cuban actor from Connecticut who plays the role of Francesco on a sitcom called " Two Guys, Two Gals and a Cuban," So many indie films dwell too cutely on indie wannabes as wacky, quirky heroes aiming to make it big. Such self-indulgence is rarely illuminating. What makes "Big K" unique is the deep sympathy it builds for Enriques's plight. His career teeters and his marriage cries for repair. Yet this perceptive comedy never resorts to cheap sarcasm. When Enrique jets to Houston for an in-store autograph signing at a new Kmart, Carbonell depicts his humiliation with excruciating precision. The film's absurd wit manages to celebrate the American dream with a bit of Nietzschean philosophy. The cast includes serious turns by Luke Perry, Casey Affleck, Michael Lerner and Martin Mull. I would go out and buy this movie.

I actually had the opportunity to see this movie at an independent film festival in New York City, and thought it was very good. I was impressed with the originallity of the story (I think it was even partially based on real events!) and with the strong cast (Nestor Carbonell from "Suddenly Susan", Luke Perry, Martin Mull, and several other great actors). I was also pleasently surprised at how this movie made me laugh histerically in one scene, and then cry in another. It is one of the better and more unique movies that I have seen a long time, and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys dark comedies and the raw feel of independent movies.

Maybe the only flaw with the movie is its title and cover. Viewers may expect a snappy comedic romp rather than the personal odyssey film that it is. Maybe that explains the negative reviews. I agree whole-heartedly with the two four-star reviews written below.

By far the worst movie I have ever seen. I was physicially painful to finish it. I feel cheated over the loss of 2 hours of my life.

The subject line says it all. Don't go there!