Big Nothing

A perfect example that even a blend of comedy and thriller can make a great and entertaining film. The filmmakers went all out and had all the characters swimming in so much sh*t (meant literally) that maybe more could have been wrung out of it in the end, but it's still more than enough. Well, consider this, a simple plan to rob a horny reverend goes spectacularly wrong, the priest turns out to be a purveyor of the most hardcore porn, his wife is a murdering psychopath and so is her secret lover – now we are in for a really crazy and murderous story, and that’s the case. Big Nothing may never make it to the big leagues, its story is perhaps a little too contrived and rather shabby at times, and ultimately it doesn't bring much new to the table, but it's nonetheless a royally funny, reasonably morbid, and beautifully fluid film with an excellent cast. If I wanted to look for flaws, I'm sure I'd find plenty, but this comedy just doesn't deserve it. (16/08/2012)

Every plan is perfect until it’s met by Flaw and Improvisation at the door. There are plenty of films about losers who try to get rich by breaking the law, sometimes even for a good cause, and this one stands out only in how quickly it piles on plot twists that prevent the viewer from thinking too deeply about the childishness of it all. Given the overall nature of the film, you can gradually guess whether the ending will lead to the hybrid saying, "He who laughs last, laughs green." (19/09/2024)

A more superficial, exhibitionist and, in terms of overall concept, simpler take on Fargo. All the facts that play out in a similarly "serious" vein in similarly-themed genre films are presented here with brutal humor and exaggeration instead. Some scenes are indeed very intense, but at the same time incredibly funny. Fargo is strong in its chilling story and in its parade of utterly insane, eccentric, yet hugely interesting characters. Big Nothing is a very distinctive piece of filmmaking that relies on the darkest possible humor, a simpler storyline, and several quick successive plot twists, rather than deeper sophistication, urgency, and Oscar ambition. But this certainly doesn't detract from the film's brilliance and entertainment value. (11/01/2012)

Jean-Baptiste has seen a lot of movies, has tons of ideas that he puts into good practice and again, after Dead End, proves that he’s certainly got something in him. Simon and David are an excellently matched pair of nice guys and Natascha certainly doesn’t spoil anything for them. At the beginning it seems that the only glitch is the screenplay that seemed to be living up to the title of the movie. But, starting with the scene with the cesspool, the black-humor, hair-brained storyline becomes the main powerhouse. In the end, nothing about Big Nothing is miraculous or even original, but it is first-rate fun. It reminded me of the beautiful experience I had watching Shallow Grave, although they don’t have very much in common really. The sort of movie that you expect big nothing from and then, hey presto, it turns out to be a very pleasant experience. (20/05/2008)

A solid black-humor thriller. One of the most intricate and attractive scripts in this genre ever. Not only is the central trio entertaining in their own right, the excellent one-liners and unpredictable twists and turns appearing every five minutes are a delight, you are literally shocked and fascinated by the screenwriting pearls the director pulls out and I swallowed the film with a gulp. I have a soft spot for films like this. 90%. (08/03/2015)