*** 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.

This is a movie for people who like acting. I like acting and actors. this is just a goofy movie that is okay to like and not criticize all over the place. This is a movie for lovers of the "acting craft", such as it is. It is a work in progress. Actors act-writers write. This ain't television. It ain't finished. It is a gift of love-to and from- actors. All the actors of this fine round world will LOVE the gift we watch on the screen all during this fine "acting" movie. It ain't perfect. But, just look at John Gries. He is so perfect. Look at Jon Favreau. Perfect. Rachel Leigh Cook is a delicious coquette of perfection. Kelsey Grammar just "kills" as the FBI agent. Adam Beach just goes all over the road, in his thrilling portrayal of The Psychotic Lover. The Plot, however fantastic, or disjointed, is a fine attempt of a movie. If it fails, it still gives the viewer a gift. A Gift of Art.

Stuck in a mediocre life, John Person persist with his dream of acting. Hanging on the hope of a call back from an audition, John is suddenly interrupted by his neighbour Neely. Neely asks for John's help in delivering a blue suitcase to a man called the Cowboy. The delivery point is the small desert town of Baker. Once there, John meets the strange locals; hotel manager Elron, bar maid Stella, the mysterious Ruthie. Complications arise when FBI agent Banks starts investigating John and his matters in Baker.

The Big Empty is a quirky debut for director/writer Steve Anderson. The Big Empty is a mash up of ideas and concepts; aliens and abductions, bowling, the mystery of the suitcase, meeting new people in the likeliest places, freeing once self from life's pit, a self discovery to your inner life and desires. To Anderson's credit, he stops this mash up from a complete muddle and strings it all together convincingly. Yet he has taken on to much all at once. The esoteric story, the kooky characters of the town are of centered to his canvas. He has so many ideas, but placing so many have hindered the film.

A positive and a negative of The Big Empty is its overly ambiguous tone. Questions are thrown at you, hints to their answer are slowly dug up, but so many questions are left unanswered. It's very opened ended, leaving room for much interpretation. Anderson wants you to think and uncover your own answers, which is pleasant to see from a film maker, audiences are too comfortable to have the answers given.

Acting all round is solid. Jon Favreau is strong if it not near his best. Daryl Hannah is great is as Stella. Kelsey Grammar occasionally hits over the top as Agent Banks. Rachael Leigh Cook is an absolute stand out as head strong and free spirit Ruthie. Sean Bean is also quite a stand out as the mysterious Cowboy.

While The Big Empty may not grasp everyones attention or be a wholly stunning film, it shows much talent in Anderson's skill as a film maker. A very solid debut.