Bigger Than the Sky

I saw this film today with my friend, and although neither of us have any experience with community theatre (little of that here in NYC), we found this film to be quite charming and enjoyable. Yeah, sure, it could have used a little editing, but the actors are engaging, the dialog is humorous, and the relationships of the characters, though sometimes a little clichéd, have an underlying authenticity. Community theatre is portrayed not as the graveyard of failed actors, but as a community where talent and friendships are nurtured without regard for money and advancement. And, unlike the first reviewer, I thought the acting was quite good. My friend and I especially enjoyed the twin parts played by Patty Duke, since we're both old enough to remember her dual role on her TV show. See this movie if you're tired of blockbuster, sequels, and star vehicles.

"Bigger Piece of Sky" is a sweet little movie about why people do theater, specifically community theater as "let's put on a show"-ism in its purest form. It cheerfully embraces the clichés of theater folk to go beyond them to understand the people within.

Our entrée to their world is a sad sack who makes his way into the local troupe therapeutically to get out of his depressed lonely doldrums after being dumped by his girlfriend. The actor who plays him is a bit problematical, in that he really does seem like an amateur, particularly as he is surrounded by pro's John Corbett, Amy Smart and Sean Astin having a rollicking good time. It does seem like the editing has to create the illusion that he's rising to the occasion for the climax.

I've had a soft spot for Edmund Rostand's "Cyrano de Bergerac" ever since I read it in high school, so I'm sympathetic to how it is used throughout the movie for its symbolism about panache, using another's words to express one own's inarticulate feelings, and the liberation of pretending to be someone else. The theme is also exuberantly updated to role-playing games as another outlet when even the stage isn't enough.

It was refreshing that a character who is ill doesn't seem to have the usual movie star disease but actually shows some effect of the illness. While we only learn about the non-stage life of the central character, so we have no idea what the other participants do in their "real" lives, it is successful at demonstrating the truth behind the song that show people are the best people to know.

While the quote that is the source of the title goes by very quickly, the dialog has cheerful good humor and gentle laughs and the plot turns enough not to be predictable.

The Portland locations are used very well, particularly of an old theater.

It is a cute joke that Patty Duke plays twins, which will lead to baby boomers in the audience humming a certain TV theme song on the way out.

...you won't appreciate this film for what it is. It's a small film about people who love theatre and art, for people who love theatre and art. If that's not you, don't bother. And especially don't criticize. I don't watch horror films or blockbuster action flicks because I know I'm not going to like those genres. If you don't like small, character-driven films centering around life in the theatre, don't watch this one. It's that simple.

That being said, there's so much to like about this little movie. Memorable dialog, nice acting work, emotional depth, and some dead-on characterizations of theatre people. I liked these things about this movie, so I enjoyed this movie. Pretty simple, really.

BIGGER THAN THE SKY has the feel of an Indie that was made out of a lot of love and commitment from all concerned. That's a good thing, but at the beginning of this little film the viewer questions whether or not the actors can make the story fly - and if you actually want to take the trip with them. But stick it out because a sound film well made rewards the hesitation. It is a 'little man finds his way' tale that makes good sense and provides good entertainment.

Peter Rooker (Marcus Thomas) is in a depressed slump after his girlfriend has dumped him. He is a 'cellophane man' computer artist, living the solitary life, noticed by no one, longing for a feeling of belonging. The place is Portland, Oregon. Peter notes the posting of auditions for a Portland Community Theater production of 'Cyrano de Bergerac' and slowly decides to attempt a moment of belonging by auditioning for the play: if he could just land a small part at least he'd belong.At the auditions he meets the warmly friendly theatrical group: Michael (John Corbett) who is a fine actor with no sense of future, Grace (Amy Smart) a pretty young sprite and competent trouper, director Edwina (Clare Higgins) who is a true theater person preferring to unmask the real Cyrano rather than hide him behind the infamous nose, sassy costumer Mrs. Keene (Patty Duke), and theater founder and adviser Kippy (Alan Corduner) who has retired from the theater due to his progressive cancer.

To everyone's surprise, especially Peter's, Peter lands the title role of Cyrano while Michael becomes Christian and Grace becomes Roxanne. Edwina's faith in the audition honesty of Peter has bolstered her own commitment to her dreams and she works with the cast to mold this very inexperienced (read lousy) actor into the tough role of Cyrano. Peter finds joy in the camaraderie of the actors, and for the first time in his life he becomes a social person. As the play is rehearsed Peter and Michael and Grace become a misguided trio - Peter does not understand the promiscuous life of the actors - and when Peter loses his job because of his increased involvement in the theater, he is informed that Edwina is forced to replace him with a seasoned actor Ken Zorbell (Sean Astin) at the 13th hour.

As good comedies go there are unexpected turns of events at every level of the remaining time until the opening night and the ending results in the personal growth of each of the actors and company. There are some well-drawn performances from John Corbett, Amy Smart, Clare Higgins, Patty Duke (in two roles), Alan Corduner, and ultimately Marcus Taylor (he is so convincingly an untrained actor at the beginning of the film that the audience will think he is wholly without talent!). Director Al Corley keeps the community theater magic alive and Rodney Patrick Vaccaro's script is sparkled by incidental quotes from Rostand's play. And to sum up the final product of the film in Cyrano's word, it has 'panache'. Not a great film, but a warm little story that examines the lonely lives of people who need the stage of a community theater to find themselves. Grady Harp

This could have been a decent movie, but the lead actor is SO bad. He's surrounded by Patty Duke, John Corbett, Amy Smart, and Sean Astin. Yes, he's supposed to play a character who decides to try his hand at community theatre despite never having acted. But the problem is Marcus Thomas can't act at all. He is painful to watch. At least the other actors make it worthwhile. It's especially fun seeing Patty Duke deliver insults to her real life son Sean Astin's character.