Watch The Big Chill

The Big Chill is about a group of former friends who attended college together during the late 1960s. Fifteen years later, they reunite after one of their college buddies, a man named Alex, commits suicide. The film explores how the lives of the characters have changed and uses them as an analogy for how American society evolved from the late 60s to the early 80s.

The film is directed by Lawrence Kasdan. It features an all-star cast including Jeff Goldblum, Glenn Close, Kevin Kline, Tom Berenger, William Hurt, Meg Tilly, and JoBeth Williams. Their characters rekindle old romances and revive old rivalries with each other. Goldblum plays Michael Gold, who is planning to buy a night club. Kline and Close play a couple, Sarah and Harold Cooper. Meg Tilly portrays Chloe, Alex's grieving girlfriend. Hurt plays Nick, a Vietnam War veteran who is haunted by his experiences. Jobeth Williams portrays Karen, a Detroit housewife who has a troubled relationship with her husband. Berenger plays Sam, who in the years since college has become a famous TV actor.

A young and unknown Kevin Costner portrayed Alex, but his scenes were all cut out of the film. Lawrence Kasdan was friends with Costner and originally intended to feature him extensively. However, Kasdan finally made the decision that Alex should be left to the audience's imagination.

The film's soundtrack contains many popular songs from the countercultural era of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Tracks include "My Girl" by The Temptations and "You Can't Always Get What You Want" by The Rolling Stones. All of the songs are intended to represent the music that the group of friends listened to during their college years.

The Big Chill received critical acclaim. It was nominated for three Oscars at the Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Glen Close), and Best Writing. It was also nominated for two Golden Globes.