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Return of the Secaucus 7 (1979)

Rate: 10
Viewed: 4/14

Seca
4/14: I avoided seeing Return of the Secaucus 7 for many years because I thought it was a sequel.

Also, I didn't know this one came first, not The Big Chill. Now, I must say the latter is a straight-up rip-off of the former. There are so many similarities between them that there's no way Lawrence Kasdan couldn't have seen it.

However, three prime differences exist between these two. The Big Chill had an all-star cast, a great soundtrack, and a mainstream release. Don't get me wrong: I like the film and think of it as a classic of the genre. But let's give credit where it's due: Return of the Secaucus 7 is the original.

I get bored easily when there's so much talking. But not this one. The dialogue is funny, and the conversations are interesting. What a surprise that John Sayles wasn't Oscar-nominated for Best Original Screenplay. Rivaling the script is the wonderful camerawork and editing by Austin De Besche and John Sayles. The characters, the lines, and the background become as one in a smooth flow. Hence, the feel of the film is perfect. At the same time, the cast is terrific. It's a bunch of nobodies, yet their chemistry is absolutely top-notch.

Most of the public think The Silence of the Lambs is the greatest movie in the world when it's, in fact, inferior to Manhunter. Similarly, people say Fatal Attraction is all the rage when Play Misty for Me was really the originator. Following the same logic, Return of the Secaucus 7 is the rightful gold standard when it comes to the reunion of a clique compared to The Big Chill.

All in all, don't be fooled: The Big Chill is a true rip-off of Return of the Secaucus 7.