Emotionally on the run from a family tragedy which ruined his marriage, a Mississippi writer--struggling with his new novel--is locked in limbo between the past and the present. Star Arliss Howard, pulling a Rip Torn, also directed and co-adapted the screenplay with James Howard, based upon stories by Larry Brown (which play out here like diluted Henry Miller). Arliss Howard has obviously seen a lot of movies and knows a lot of tricks; his flights-of-fancy have touches of Fellini and Kubrick, yet his lead performance isn't the least bit convincing. As a result, the picture, a labor of love for Howard and real-life spouse Debra Winger (also a producer and co-star), contains all the ingredients for an arty hothouse flower but none of the punch. "Big Bad Love" is an unconventional film which certainly gave employment to many underused actors, yet it doesn't even attempt to entertain us with ironic or wistful images...it's too preoccupied with being Art. ** from ****
Review of Big Bad Love
