Big Bad Love (2001)

User Rating:

6.0/10   

Director:

Arliss Howard

Writers:

Larry Brown (stories)
James Howard (screenplay) ...

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The staggering tale of one man's relentless pursuit of imperfection.

Plot:

Vietnam veteran Leon Barlow is struggling as a writer, and his personal life isn't much better. His...

Plot Keywords:

Independent Film

Cast

Arliss Howard	...	Barlow
Debra Winger	...	Marilyn
Paul Le Mat	...	Monroe
Rosanna Arquette	...	Velma
Angie Dickinson	...	Mrs. Barlow
Michael Parks	...	Mr. Aaron
Alex Van	...	Deputy
Zachary Moody	...	Alan Barlow
Olivia Kersey	...	Alisha Barlow
Kevin Mitchell	...	Twin #1
Matt Mitchell	...	Twin #2
Sue Peavey	...	Cindy
Michael Williamson	...	Young Barlow
Coleman Barks	...	Minister
Gloria Jackson Winters	...	Mrs. Shepard (as Gloria Winters)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some sexuality.

Runtime:

Canada:111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Holly Springs, Mississippi, USA

Company:

Big Bad Love LLC

Soundtrack:

Boxcar Blues

Drinking to oblivion

One has to admire an actor like Arliss Howard for his courage in bringing this film to the screen. It is a painful story to watch, but it has its own rewards. The movie played locally only for a very short time, and sadly, it disappeared until it was shown recently on cable, for which we are grateful.

Perhaps with another director, some of the kinks in the film would have been ironed out. There are scenes that are just too painful to watch. Our hearts go out to Barlow and what he is going through at this time of his life. His writing is brilliant, but most everyone he submits his novels to, end up rejecting them. Barlow cannot take another defeat in his life.

To make matters worse, his divorce from Marilyn is driving him insane. We often wonder how these two unmatched pair thought they were going to make it at all. In bad marriages, both parties remain bitter over every little detail dictated by the court when they must separate.

Arliss Howard, as Barlow gives a heart felt performance. We see him sinking lower and lower without a safety net to hold him. Unfortunately, Debra Winger's time on screen is very short. Ms Winger makes this woman an enigma since we don't really know where her head is at. The other actors are good. Paul Le Mat, Rosanna Arquette and above all, a short, but very excellent turn by Angie Dickinson, make us care about the fate of these people.