Do we really need a 'Big Chill' remake?

Kendra Fri, Jun 22, 2007 at 06:07 PM EST

Who cares if Black actors choose to remake a movie that was originally made with an all-White cast. While it is so sad that people of color still need 'reason' to bring everyday stories without an urban undertone to life - Hollywood is more accepting of a White-remake than original stories. That's sad. The Hollywood establishment and base American culture are to blame. It's that simple. As to what was going on in 1993? Well let me tell you... This is the first generation, post-civil rights who understood the realities of race in American (especially those born and raised in the South - in the late 60's early 70's) - but we also had some of the privileges of being upper-middle class. Our generation broke down barriers in Hollywood (ala John Singleton and Christopher Scott Cherot) AND Corporate America!!! Furthermore, the Rodney King & the LA Uprising were the hot social movement. Students of color were still involved in a movement...

Phil Fri, Jun 15, 2007 at 02:00 PM EST

Junior, I hate to keep playing Devil's advocate here, but I finally realize why I am coming off as appearing racist when touching on this topic. I understand this is a touchy issue, but no one has seriously addressed the question I posed towards remaking "white" movies with all black casts, in favor of just concentrating on BETTER roles for black actors in general. its amazing how so many people have so many "throw away" comments on such senseless issues about Lindsay Lohan or Paris Hilton, but when an actual meaningful discussion on an interesting topic arises, everyone clams up, so as not to appear as radical as I guess I am coming off as! How does Regina King re-making this movie mean anything towards people understanding race issues if no one will even discuss them now?

junior Fri, Jun 15, 2007 at 11:27 AM EST

After reading all these comments, I am SO GLAD Regina King is working on this. Clearly, all people (not just white people) need to stop seeing blackness as one (dirty) color...

Ray Fri, Jun 15, 2007 at 08:49 AM EST

Remember Cedric the Entertainer remake of the Honeymooners. Black directors and actors shouldn't do white remakes. Period. It changes the
entire look of the origional and no matter how good the actors are it will be urban. Correction,it will be on BET in 2009. LOL!

Phil Fri, Jun 15, 2007 at 12:00 AM EST

Sweet, I think you are the ONLY one who think the "BET level" commwent was hidden racism, because it was said by an admitted black man! If you are calling me racist for addressing his comments, then you are you being blatantly racist by telling me I can't, since I'm not African American.

Sweet Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 10:00 PM EST

I think its a fabulous idea. Given the context it could be very compelling. As someone mentioned before, the idea of being so "anti" and feeling you could change the world in your youth but settling for a plain life or the establishment in middle age could certainly ring true for middle-class middle-age African Americans. Gary really should have done some research about what was happening in the 90's. He seriously dropped the ball on that one. Also, most of the African Americans in college in the 90's had parents who grew up in the 70's. That alone defined their existence. I think it would be fodder for discussion and an interesting movie. BTW, am I the only one who thinks that "BET level" comment was hidden racism? Those movies are made to appeal to a certain genre just like lifetime movies. No one says Penny Marshall (off the top of my head) will be automatically making lifetime movies (just because she's a woman) so that comment was extremely out of line.

jay Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 08:34 PM EST

you are absolutely, completely right about The Big Chill. So overrated, I can't stand it.

Stop The Remakes Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 04:55 PM EST

Why do they have to remake movies anyway? Has Hollywood an ounce of creativity and imagination left? I think not.

harry Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 04:15 PM EST

Booon Dooocks!!! just had to getit out of my system. But seriously I this just seem like another case of who can do it better(or blacker in this case).

Houstonian Jen in Baltimore Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 03:46 PM EST

My first grievance with the comments so far is the opinion that this movie will automatically be "BET" quality. While I am equally incensed when I see a poor quality, stereotypical film featuring black casts--I feel like the percentage of poor quality films populated by predominately white casts are significantly higher. Why? Those movies actually have the opportunity to get made. From the get-go, movies featuring black casts have a smaller audience ( # of theaters that view it, general preferences etc.)

Additionaly, the 'friends coming together in happy and sad times' genre of movies is nothing new. They apply to age (Evening: Meryl Streep and a bunch of women coming to reminisce), gender (heck, Ocean's 11,12, and 13), race (The Best Man: friends reuniting for a wedding), region (Steel Magnolias: southern women coming together for weddings, hair appts., and funerals). I don't understand the objections. Regina King is smart and talented actress. Let's be open minded.

ceej Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 03:32 PM EST

>>Anyone remember college campuses circa 1993 as places roiling with activism and social change?<<

Err... if you were at a Black College you would have seen it. 1993-1997 (my college years) saw the wake of Rodney King, the OJ trial controversy, a return to Afro-centricsm, and the black film renaissance (remember Love Jones)... if it just uses "the Big Chill's" premise, then delves deeper into the affect of that period (the black college/white college debate should be interesting to watch), it could be a good flick.

Phil Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 03:13 PM EST

As I said, not that I don't have faith in Regina King, but please think of one relevant or good (if not better) movie that was re-made with an all black cast from an original "white" movie. I can't think of one, and I'm not speaking for anyone else, but I suspect thats predominantly where the "BET level" line came from. I'd love to hear what other people think about what I said about remaking "white" movies with all black cast undermining & limiting black entertainers in creating new, original roles that would define their careers, rather than re-doing roles that already have, in some cases, have cherished actors attached to them from over two decades now.

junior Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 03:02 PM EST

My question is, if Regina King is making it, why does that automatically mean it's going to have BET-level quality and something "original" should be found instead? BET movies are bad, really bad. You think a talented actress like King doesn't know to aim for higher. Or is BET level all that black people can reach when they remake movies with mostly white casts?

Phil Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 02:53 PM EST

Without sounding racist (I'm def. NOT), I love how everyone posting here is skirting around the racial issue at the heart of this piece. Yes, the original was (dare I use the term) a "white" movie, with an entire Caucasian cast. Regardless of how people feel about the original being smug or a classic in their eyes, the issue is that aren't African American actors, writers, directors, etc. ALWAYS taking Hollywood to task for not producing or writing believable roles for them? Hence why Halle Berry gave such an emotional speech when she won her Best Actress Oscar? Well in my opinion, these remakes of "white" movies does nothing to help that movement, while mining original ideas & then warping then as others mentioned with BET level acting & cliches. I think Regina king is a wonderfully under-rated actress, but I think this idea is beyond terrible. This might not be on par, but is right up there with Raven Symone being attached to a remake of ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING, announced a yr. ago

funny Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 02:43 PM EST

Haha, "Unless all the characters are gay, that context is probably going to be absent." That's a pretty good line.

hh Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 02:38 PM EST

Actually, the early 90's were a very political time for young African Americans. That was the height of the "Afrocentric" phase, and the 1992 presidential election, Rodney King and the LA riots. It also marked the epoch of political hip-hop and the beginning of the transition to gangsta rap, which many link to the decline in young black political engagement. I think it could be a really interesting film, although it would have to make that time relevant to a population other than blacks in their 30's.

mmyattmyatt Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 02:29 PM EST

Susman, couldn't agree with you more. The Big Chill is one of the most overrated movies in the last 25 years. My wife acted as if I were being blasphemous when I told her I didn't care for the movie.

Coach's Mistress Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 02:20 PM EST

All around bad idea.
Stop with the remakes already!
Can't new material be found for talented black actors?

lebeau Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 01:52 PM EST

When I saw Big Chill as a kid (edited for TV of course) I thought it was cool. It was funny. It had good music.

I saw it again in college and I still liked it. It was the first time I was seeing the R-rated stuff.

Now, I can't watch it. It's the smugness. Damn the smugness!

junior Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 01:40 PM EST

sorry, I did go down the wrong lane a couple of times before (the almost-racist jokes kind of angered me) but I still don't see why anyone would question a remake of a movie they didn't really like. Like the new Hulk movie. I think "great, maybe this time they'll get it right!" instead of "do we really need this?" And I think everyone agrees there should be more character-driven movies with mostly black casts...

Randall Johnston Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 01:35 PM EST

The Big Chill was The Return of the Secaucus Seven without the brains or balls. John Sayles is so brilliant people think rip-offs of his work are great.

Melissa Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 01:11 PM EST

Junior, I think you might be reading a little too much into Mr. Susman's post. It seems to me his issue with the original film as well as the remake has exactly nothing to do with the race of the actors then or now, and everything to do with the fact that he thinks the movie, in concept and in practice, is not good.

AJ Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 01:00 PM EST

Of course the characters were portrayed as smug and self congratulatory in the original Big Chill. I believe Kasdan wanted you to see the change that has happened between idealistic college students in the sixties to big business corporate shills in the 80's. Didn't the 80's signal this time of greed for the Baby Boomers? But, alas, the real reason why The Big Chill is special is for the simple fact of taking its time in showing friends coming together and mourning the death of of one of them. Not to mention great performances all around the board. My question is, like every other Hollywood movie "aimed" at African Americans, are they going to fill it with unwanted stereoptypes or portray these people as a closeknit group who came together under bad circumstances to find each other again twenty years later?

Nick Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 12:36 PM EST

The fifties had _American Graffiti_, the sixties had _The Big Chill_, and the seventies had _Dazed and Confused_. There has yet to be a movie that chronicles the Gen-X age from a distance like these other movies did. Perhaps Regina King's update will bring back memories of the issues touching this generation, even from the unique black perspective.

junior Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 12:25 PM EST

"It had some fine performances and a wonderful Motown soundtrack (before such soundtracks became clichés of ready-made nostalgia), but overall, I can't stand its smug, self-congratulatory tone."

Maybe that's why it should be REMADE!

King and the producers plan to revise the script you don't like very much with new concepts, etc. so what exactly is the problem?

And it's not like all *white* movies (the thought that movies have a race makes me shudder) are going to be remade with predominantly black casts (which is what it should read Mr. Susman, instad of "all-black"). This is one project, and it sounds like a good one to me.

I also love how Motown music in the original film is mentioned (music made mostly by black people), but if black people dare touch the movie, we have to question whether the project is worthwhile.

Sorry this is so long, but the vaguely-racist black jokes are less funny and more plain 'ole racist.

Martha Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 12:22 PM EST

Gary, nice to see someone who agrees with my opinion of "The Big Chill." I watched it again on On Demand a while back and was non-plussed at all the smug self-importance and hypocrisy in evidence. (Of course, as a member of Gen-X I'm contractually obligated to think this way about Boomers.) Regina King is a very good actress and an all-black ensemble movie is a great idea, but let's hope they use something else as source material.

Rakeem Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 12:14 PM EST

Well,from what I heard, the movie is going to take place in the 1990's, so wouldn't that mean that the characters would have graduated in the '80s or late 70's? I haven't seen the original so I don't know if it took place in mostly the present or the college years of the characters.

GingerCat Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 12:13 PM EST

Rachel, I was just about to post exactly what you said. I graduated from college in 1993, and the 1992 election was a huge topic. It actually was a pretty political time. I just don't know if it's enough to hang a movie on.

Rachel Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 12:00 PM EST

I graduated from college in 1993 and I do remember a little thing called the "1992 Presidential Election." There was a real sense of politicization at that time--it was the end of 12 years of Republican presidential control. Of course, I went to a very socially conscious liberal arts school. It's also possible that the film will focus on issues that were prominent in the black community at the time, not necessarily things that were on the larger national radar.

Ep Sato Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 11:56 AM EST

Sus, it's rare we agree on anything, but your post is spot on. I too love Regina King but think there are more significant "white" movies that can be remade with a predominately black cast. Example: Spinal Tap was remade as "fear of a black hat" with a lot of success.

The era issue also stands. The 1990's had some relatively big moments, but it wasn't the 1960's either. I'd argue the economic expansion and lack of clear enemies made the 1990's a rehashed 1950's (where there was plenty wrong but we chose to ignore it), and at best represented the last breaths of Boomer activisim.

Nowadays we've got the boomers entering into old age and wondering why they aren't cool anymore...

So my money's on Regina taking a more modern story and remaking it. But ugh, the Big Chill? 100% agreed with Susman.

Nathan Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 11:54 AM EST

Great news, how many roles will Eddie Murphy be playing in it?

Darby Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 11:45 AM EST

Regina is great. Big Chill VASTLY overrated; I too find it smug. Having graduated college in 1993, the only radicals on my campus were the neo-hippies who never shaved and hung NO BLOOD SPILLED FOR OIL banners out their (rather smoke-filled) dorm windows during the Desert Storm. All were white, though. So, no ideas from me I guess.

tk Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 11:44 AM EST

I'm with you about the BET films - it's the worst joke ever...I can't really imagine a remake of the Big Chill for my age group...I think that's a pretty big premise for a movie for thirty somethings...I imagine the movie would have to be like a Brown Sugar, I can tell you I would have graduated college in 1993 & we were not activists, very far from it, it was all about the hip hop and house parties....so she shouldn't put such a huge label on her movie, she should tell her own story of woe and angst, baby mama drama & not being able to find a good black man is what her story would be about to be true & we have certainly had to many of those..we don't need another

Ed Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 11:37 AM EST

I share my comments with GeeMoney and Ray, black actors are under appreciated in Hollywood. What happend to that period when Whitney Houston was doing those great "chick flick" movies? I know, those weren't the best but they did have an excellent cast.
Regina King rocks! Now that she is producing her own stuff I hope this is the beginning of better fare for black movies.

Megan Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 11:31 AM EST

Umm...I was in college in the mid-90's and while activism wasn't as huge as it was in the late 60's, my college years were marked by Rodney King, OJ Simpson, and Bill Clinton. So, in those respects, remaking the Big Chill with all black actors in their early-to-mid-30's might not be that far removed from the orignial.

GeeMoney Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 11:17 AM EST

Regina King ROCKS! Hopefully this movie will be made well without all of the stereotypical black slang and attitude.

Ray Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 10:48 AM EST

As a black actor it frustrates me to see all black casts in subpar films. I know they have bills to pay but the writing for alot of these films are so poorly written and they're not challenging at all! This will be on BET by 2008,and they put on awful films. LOL!