The Big Picture
Performance & Direction: The Big Picture Review
Last updated: January 31, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Big Picture (1989) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Big Picture features a noteworthy lineup led by Kevin Bacon . Supported by the likes of Emily Longstreth and J. T. Walsh , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: The Big Picture
Quick Plot Summary: The Big Picture is a Comedy, Romance, Drama film that brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Big Picture
Ending Breakdown: The Big Picture attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Big Picture reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Big Picture?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Comedy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Big Picture
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $5.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $117.5K |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The Big Picture Budget
The estimated production budget for The Big Picture is $5.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Big Picture
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Where to Watch The Big Picture Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV Store
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Apple TV StoreThe Big Picture Parents Guide & Age Rating
1989 AdvisoryWondering about The Big Picture age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Big Picture is 100 minutes (1h 40m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.8/10, and global performance metrics, The Big Picture is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1989 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Big Picture worth watching?
The Big Picture is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 5.8/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Big Picture parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Big Picture identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Big Picture?
The total duration of The Big Picture is 100 minutes, which is approximately 1h 40m long.
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How The Big Picture Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Big Picture
**_Satire on Hollywood and the filmmaking process with Kevin Bacon_** After a film student from Ohio (Bacon) wins an award for his short movie at the film institute in Los Angeles, he has to carefully traverse the minefield of the system to get his artistic vision made. JT Walsh plays a manipulative producer and Martin Short a dubious agent. “The Big Picture” (1989) is an amusing look at the moviemaking process in Hollywood. The humor is mostly droll or quirky and viewers not up on the business might not relate to some of it, which could explain why the flick flopped at the box office. I wouldn’t want to blow time & money on seeing it at the theater, but it works well enough for home viewing on a quiet night or whatever. Winsome Emily Longstreth stands out on the feminine front as the protagonist’s girlfriend, Susan. She was a minor female sensation at the time who worked with the likes of Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, Rob Morrow, Molly Ringwald and James Spader, but she left acting entirely by the early 90s, reportedly falling into substance abuse, mental illness, and living in homeless shelters. It’s rumored she died in early 2015, but factual info is hard to find so I can’t verify this. Teri Hatcher is notable as wannabe starlet Gretchen; it was her movie debut. Meanwhile Jennifer Jason Leigh is on hand as hipster Lydia while Fran Drescher shows up as the producer’s wife, Polo. The film runs 1 hour, 40 minutes, and was shot in the Los Angeles area. GRADE: B-
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
