I feel like Big Time might be the kind of film that's unwatchable to those who aren't fans of Tom Waits, but at the same time, everyone owes it to themselves to at least try Tom Waits at some point in their lives. So, for the unitiated, take in a few of his 1970s or '80s albums, and if you mostly like what you hear, put Big Time right at the top of your watchlist.
That all being said, I'll admit I still do not fully get Tom Waits, I don't love every song of his, and I have to be in a certain mood to listen to him. But when that mood comes around, his style is unlike anything else and is endlessly fascinating. You notice the gruff voice before anything else (which is his style, even though I know his earlier stuff has more conventional vocals), as well as the often weird instrumentation, but then there are also affecting and evocative lyrics and some surprisingly strong melodies buried beneath all the chaos.
Big Time feels a little more humorous than most Waits albums, as those can tend to make me feel more melancholic than anything else. Tom Waits doesn't turn everything into broad comedy though; there's a slyness and understated nature to the humor (which is also bombastic at times) that feels unique and distinctly Tom Waits-ey.
I dug it. It's probably not for everyone, but it's an experiment worth checking out for anyone curious.