The Big Empty
Arne's Royal Hawaiian Motel, where John Person resides for most of the movie, is a real business; or at least was at the time of filming in 2003. In 2009 it was officially closed. As of 2018 it is abandoned, but still standing, with it's original signs. The area still holds the sparse, lonely, western ambiance and cinematography that contributed so much to the film.,Despite all the drinking John and Ruthie do, the amount of booze left in the bottle never goes down.,John Person: No, Dan, I'm waiting to deliver a mysterious suitcase to a hooker-killing cowboy who's supposed to give me $27,000. On top of that I've got my neighbor's head in a bowling ball bag under my sink.,Referenced in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014),18 Wheels & a Crowbar
Written by Chuck Mead
Performed by Br549 (as BR5-49)
Courtesy of Arista Records,I feel so guilty writing a negative review of an independent film with a plot that include alien conspiracies and Sean Bean but I feel overwhelmingly compelled to.

Being a fan of such films as Donnie Darko and Mulholland Drive I was desperate to find another film in a similar vein. Lots of symbolism and a plot that makes you think, plus interesting characters is what The Big Empty needs, then it might be a bit similar to Donnie or Mulholland.

The problem is that this film is pretentious- apparent symbolism is included just for effect- in order to look wierd and make people say 'i wonder what that represents?'. It doesn't represent or mean anything clever or interesting- I guess that means it isn't even symbolism.

And don't expect Coen Brothers-esque comedy or dialogue. 90% of this film involves seeing a slow lingering shot of a very big face as he slowly furrows his brow and prepares to state the bloody obvious. I cannot begin to describe how tedious this film is, the dialogue goes so slowly and with so little purpose that it will have you wishing that something, anything, interesting would happen.

Most of the characters have no purpose- their scenes are entirely superfluous to the narrative progression. I spent ages waiting for Sean Bean to show up and it was good to see him but he couldn't rescue this film.

There is a very, very slim chance that the below par, X-Files 'inspired' plot will interest you and there are perhaps two good jokes in the film. However, if within the first five minutes you find yourself doubting whether you can stand watching his bloody big head for the next couple of hours, just turn it off. You won't miss anything.,