Big Trouble

Big Trouble

Year: 2002

Runtime: 85 min

Language: English

Director: Barry Sonnenfeld

Budget: $40M

ThrillerComedyCrime

A morally questionable lawyer resorts to extreme measures to exonerate his infamous client. To achieve this, he frames an innocent woman, setting off a chain of events that shake Seattle’s criminal network. The twisty plot unfolds as the lawyer navigates a dangerous game with high stakes and unexpected consequences.

Big Trouble (2002) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Big Trouble (2002) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the rain‑slick shadows of Seattle, a sharp‑tongued attorney walks a tightrope between ambition and conscience. Elliot Grant is known for his clever arguments and his willingness to stretch the law to its breaking point, a reputation that both elevates and isolates him in a city where the line between justice and corruption is perpetually blurred. When a notorious figure—whose name reverberates through the underworld—finds himself on the brink of ruin, Elliot sees an opportunity to cement his legacy, even if it means venturing into morally ambiguous territory.

The stakes climb as Elliot’s plan begins to involve a woman whose life has never intersected with the criminal sphere. Claire Whitaker is an everyday professional whose steady world is suddenly intersected by forces far beyond her control. Their paths cross in a manner that feels both inevitable and unsettling, setting the stage for a cat‑and‑mouse dance that pulls them deeper into Seattle’s tangled network of power brokers, crooked officials, and hidden agendas. The city itself becomes a character: fog‑laden streets, neon‑glow nightscapes, and a bustling legal scene that crackles with tension.

Around them, a cast of uneasy allies and reluctant adversaries adds layers of dark humor and unexpected camaraderie. From seasoned detectives who suspect too much to ambitious politicians hungry for leverage, each presence injects a tone that oscillates between sardonic wit and razor‑edge suspense. As Elliot’s scheme unfurls, the atmosphere thickens with the sense that any misstep could trigger a cascade of consequences, yet the allure of outsmarting the system remains intoxicating.

The film balances the gritty realities of a city built on secrets with a brisk, almost absurdist energy, inviting viewers to wonder how far a man will go to protect his client and what price an innocent soul might pay when the scales of justice are deliberately tipped.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 11:28

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Movies like Big Trouble: Zany Crime Farce with High-Stakes Chaos

Fast-paced comedies where absurd plans and mistaken identities spiral into hilarious chaos.If you enjoyed the absurd chaos of Big Trouble, this thread features similar movies where criminal plots go hilariously wrong. Discover other fast-paced comedies with quirky characters, mistaken identities, and high-stakes scenarios that are played for laughs, not thrills.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically involve a simple plan or misunderstanding that rapidly escalates, pulling a diverse cast of characters into an increasingly absurd and chaotic situation. The plot is a tangled web of coincidences and blunders, where the danger is more comedic than threatening, leading to a satisfying and happy resolution for the likable protagonists.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared tone of lighthearted absurdity applied to crime-based plots. They share a fast pace, a focus on comedic chaos over genuine danger, and a feel-good atmosphere where even serious threats like nuclear bombs are part of the farce.

Movies like Big Trouble: Interwoven Ensemble Comedies of Errors

Stories where multiple characters' lives collide in a web of romantic and comedic misunderstandings.Fans of Big Trouble's tangled web of characters will enjoy this collection of ensemble comedies. Find similar movies with multiple storylines, romantic mishaps, and a cast of unlikely heroes whose paths hilariously cross in a fast-paced, feel-good narrative.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves introducing a diverse group of characters—from average citizens to criminals—whose separate stories begin to overlap and collide due to a central comedic MacGuffin or event. The plot complexity comes from managing these intertwining threads, which build towards a climax where all characters converge, resolving the chaos in a happy, often romantic, ending.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their complex yet accessible structure that weaves together multiple perspectives into a single comedic tapestry. They share a light emotional weight, a fast pace driven by coincidences, and a core theme of chaos ultimately leading to connection and resolution.

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Big Trouble Summary

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Big Trouble Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Big Trouble

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Big Trouble

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