Free Preview of THE BIG C - Showtime On DemandAugust 13, 2010
Showtime
On Demand Weekly provides new reviews of TV series and hot movies on demand from the POV of watching from the comfort of your home. Today’s review: Showtime's “The Big C.”
It’s FREEVIEW time on Showtime On Demand! But be warned: this is what crack dealers do. They give you a free taste, and then you will want more! Lots of Showtime’s titles are available for free On Demand right now through October 6th. I’m excited about this because I couldn’t wait to see “The Big C.”
No one does complicated emotions better than Laura Linney. Ever since THE TRUMAN SHOW, I have enjoyed watching her play several levels at the same time (which can make her intros to Masterpiece Theatre rather confusing because I’m always sure there’s more going on with her than simply what her words are saying). In The Big C, director Bill Condon (GODS AND MONSTERS) lets her really fly as a high school teacher who finds out she’s only got about a year to live.
How does a quiet, helpful, rather repressed woman (who’s most complicated problem has been which couch to purchase) deal with choosing how to spend the very short rest of her life? Does she stay with her adorable but childish husband (Oliver Platt—yes, please stay with him, did I mention ADORABLE?!)? Does she toughen up on her son and students or give up trying to discipline them? Does she care what her neighbors think? Watching Laura Linney grappling with these decisions is about as good as television gets.
In the pilot episode, the plot is rather predictable, but with an amazing supporting cast that includes the afore-mentioned Oliver Platt, Gaboury Sibide, Phyllis Somerville, and John Benjamin Hickey, Showtime’s The Big C is a real jewel.
- Jean Tait
_____________________
Jean Tait is a new contributing writer to On Demand Weekly. Currently the Director of Programming for the Connecticut Film Festival, Jean has programmed for the Jacksonville Film Festival and Sundance Channel.
Check out previous reviews by Jean Tait:
