StunnaKrypto Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

ReaderKenka Let's be realistic.

Gurlyndrobb While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Casey Duggan It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

drjgardner *** This review may contain spoilers ***For people who don't get it, here are some possible interpretations –The cowboy is rounding up lost souls. That's what John Person (Jon Favreau) is at the start of the film and that's what Ruthie (Rachel Leigh Cook) is at the end. In fact, Ruthie is even more lost than John which is why she goes and he doesn't.The suitcase has size 11 shoes, obviously not meant for Ruthie but for John. At the film's end when John is bowling we see his size 11 bowling shoes, confirming that the suitcase was meant for him.The suitcase is what all lost souls carry. It's what the dozen lost souls at the end carry.Neely (Bud Cort) works for the aliens and he does the research on who is lost and who isn't. That's why he has a dossier on John.Dan (Brent Briscoe) warns John that the aliens take people's sperm through their neck. Near the end of the film John has a bandage on his neck, and in his final appearance we see that the FBI agent (Kelsey Grammar) also has the bandage.The point of the film is that life is short and worth living and you shouldn't waste it. Ruthie tells this to John and John tells it to Ruthie.Through the experience John finds meaning in life through his relationship to Grace (Joey Lauren Adams), and once he does this, his life takes a turn. He's now got a job as a second lead and he can throw strikes.You may or may not like the film, but it's not that hard to understand the symbolism.

carbuff When I noticed that the other reviewers said it was weird, I was there in a heartbeat. And, yes, it is weird and unusual. The story line moves in a really unpredictable manner, and you keep watching to see what happens next. It's a mash-up of suspense, comedy, sci-fi, and drama. I really liked it, and found it much, much more entertaining than the vast majority of movies made on multiples of it's budget. I guess, when you can't spend, you've forced to think. All of the performances of the offbeat characters (nobody close to normal at all, with the possible exception of the seriously appealing girl-next-door neighbor) were very strong. The only problem I had with the movie was the ending, which I found too ambiguous, but then, I'm sure that that's what the filmmaker was aiming for. I don't actually mind ambiguity, but in this case, it just didn't work that well for me, although, on the other hand, I would hardly call it a fail. I guess that's a pretty ambiguous statement, but I am totally unambiguous about recommending this movie to other connoisseurs of the weird and wonderful.

rbslack1 This is one of those movies you actually HAVE TO watch two or three times to fully appreciate. You'll start noticing little things - like that Grace has a band-aid on her neck at the very beginning. When Neely's doing his sales job on Jon, Jon's clock says it's 11:11pm, yet he needs to be in Baker by 10:00 (?). Grace is in apt 12, across the hall from Jon (so Jon is in room 11). Most (all?) clocks shown, even in the background, throughout the movie show the same time: 11:11. Jon's room number at the Royal Hawiian is 111. Jon's shoe size is 11. Bowling at the end of the movie - lane 11 and he gets an 11th frame. Significance? I haven't figured it out yet!Notice Neely's blue jump suit, and the logo on the jump suit. While Jon is chatting with Dan in the diner, later in the movie, someone walks by outside wearing the same style jump suit. Near the end of the movie, when Jon visits the FBI (Kelsey), watch keenly when Kelsy (Agent Beggs?) opens the file. Right there on top is a document with the same logo as on Neely's jump suit.There's a few other things along these lines, but you get the drift. Watch it once and enjoy it. Watch it again (and again!) with a keen eye and be a bit fascinated. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie on first viewing. It grabs your attention and keeps it. It's pleasantly different from anything you've seen before. All the acting is great, as is the soundtrack. I've recommended it to all my friends, and have gotten positive feedback from all who've seen it. Watch it again!

klh_skyenet I appreciated almost everything about this film; the cinematography, the direction the soundtrack etc. If I had to name one specific aspect of the project that seemed to stand out, it would be Jon Gries' portrayal of Elron; his (Gries') performance was phenomenal!The negative points of this movie could be more quickly stated than the positives because, in my opinion, there are very few negatives associated with this film. I enjoy movies where there is a little room for interpretation as a result of the use of symbolism. The symbolism is not so complex that it makes the movie confusing, it just gives the viewers something to discuss after viewing this title. "The Big Empty" is a keeper! I have watched it several times and find something new with each viewing!So, if you get a chance, buy, rent or borrow this film then sit back, watch, discuss and enjoy!! 8/10