Big Bad Love
Big Bad Love

Big Bad Love

2001Movie111 minEnglish

Vietnam veteran Leon Barlow is struggling as a writer, and his personal life isn't much better. His unsympathetic ex-wife Marilyn doesn't approve of his visits with his two children, and he has problems with alcohol. Yet even when Leon manages to catch up on alimony and child support payments, things in his life seem to decline further, until a sudden tragedy catches him off guard.

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Insights

IMDb6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes53%
Metacritic51/100
Google Users67%
Director: Arliss HowardGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

A bohemian writer, Bill, struggles with his past traumas and self-destructive tendencies, which manifest in his erratic behavior and a tumultuous relationship with his partner, Mildred. As Bill grapples with his inner demons, he attempts to find solace and understanding through his writing and by confronting the sources of his pain. The film explores the complexities of love, addiction, and the arduous journey toward healing.

Critical Reception

Big Bad Love received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised Arliss Howard's sensitive direction and performance, along with the raw emotional depth of the subject matter, others found the film's pacing slow and its exploration of addiction and trauma to be somewhat unfocused and self-indulgent. The performances were generally well-regarded, but the overall narrative impact was divisive.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praiseworthy for its raw emotional honesty and a compelling central performance.
  • Some critics found the pacing too slow and the character study bordering on self-indulgence.
  • The film's exploration of trauma and addiction is seen as both its strength and its weakness.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's introspective nature and the powerful performances, particularly from Arliss Howard. However, some found the story to be bleak and the character's struggles difficult to connect with, leading to a mixed but leaning positive overall sentiment.

Fun Fact

Arliss Howard also wrote, directed, and starred in the film, drawing inspiration from his own experiences and observations.

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