THE BIG WHITE

D. Mark Mylod :: USA 2005 :: 35mm :: Ascendant Pictures
Robin Williams, Holly Hunter, Woody Harrelson, Giovanni Ribisi, Alison Lohman, Tim Blake Nelson, and James Woods

THE BIG WHITE is about a destitute Alaskan travel agent (Robin Williams) with a deranged wife (Holly Hunter, suffering from Tourette’s Syndrome in the film) who finds the answer to his financial problems in the form of a get-rich-quick scam involving a frozen body in the dumpster, which he tries to pass off as his long-lost brother for a life insurance claim. Just a few things stand in his way – a determined insurance investigator, an irate sibling and two would-be gangsters. Money, murder and mayhem are the name of the game in this ‘white’ comedy set in the great outdoors.

Director Mark Mylod on the film:
“THE BIG WHITE uses black comedy to disguise its essential humanity and tenderness. The characters are hilariously flawed yet their desperation to transcend their circumstances, to escape, can simultaneously break our hearts. To me the film is as much a poignant love story as it is a comedy.”

Veteran British TV director Mark Mylod previously directed episodes of the smash hit SHAMELESS as well as ALI G INDAHOUSE. He has won two BAFTA awards for Best Light Entertainment and been nominated for a third. He was also nominated for a Directors Guild of Great Britain Award for Best director in a 60-minute TV show for SHAMELESS.