Bigger Than the Sky

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.

...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 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.

While discussing this earnestly contrived comedic melodrama that he scripts and in part produces, Michigan playwright Rodney Vaccaro states that the scenario results from a reaction to the "9-11" occurrences, and that his intention here is to create a romantic detailing of events that will provide a storyline antithetical to the violence that marbles our lives, while including his fondness for community based non-professional theatre as apt background for the narrative. Peter Rucker (Marcus Thomas), a graphic designer with a marked personality deficit, is attempting to reconstitute his life after his girl friend has left him, doing so primarily through reading of self-help books, but is additionally attracted by a community theatre near to his place of employment that is advertising its auditions for Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac, and since Peter's freshly imposed solitude has resulted in a surfeit of free time during his evenings, he determines to try out for a small part in the classic play. Although totally lacking stage experience, or even middling innate Thespic ability, the play's director has "seen something" in him and Peter is unaccountably selected, not simply as a member of the cast, but as Cyrano, the lead! Another member of the cast, Mike Degan (John Corbett), a very much experienced player, designates himself as Peter's mentor both during and between rehearsals; however, when Rucker begins to dally with Degan's former lover Grace (Amy Smart), the play's Roxanne, partly due to Mike's urging, the latter begins to resent his protégé, weakening their bond, and this, in addition to unforeseen difficulties in mounting the production, must be rectified before the looming opening night performance. Unfortunately, the film itself has troubles as well, and they are but seldom solved. First-time director Al Corley permits the action to meander, with fifth-billed Thomas, fresh-faced but largely unskilled, a less than engaging Peter Rucker who is, near the film's end, abruptly replaced by first-billed Corbett as linchpin of the story, ratified by his ongoing connections with all of the other principals. Although Peter is found to be completely inadequate as the featured performer, he quaintly is called upon to save the production after a newly appointed Cyrano becomes unavailable, an unconvincing gambit for one who, in reality, is only suitable for tech support or as a supernumerary. In spite of these factors that weaken the piece's credibility it, ostensibly shot in Portland, Oregon, provides a pleasing quality of fellowship evidenced within its small community theatre group, and it treats of many standard stage related elements, both technical and non. The film's most striking sequence is a splendidly realised ending that obviously was in the van of Vaccaro's creative impulses here, its preceding scenes for the most part subsequently crafted. Originally named CAUGHT IN THE ACT, the production had to relinquish that title as it had been allocated elsewhere. Although its box office take was low, a genuine affection for theatre is communicated throughout, and there is some rewarding conceptualization within Vaccaro's often literate screenplay, such as when the play's director, played by Clare Higgins, insists upon eschewing the work's customary emphasis upon Cyrano's proboscis in favour of an examination of his marrow. Even though Corbett is given a misguided rant in one scene against the plays of Shakespeare, he handily wins acting honours. Other meritable turns are to be enjoyed from the perfectly cast Higgins and her countryman Allan Corduner, who is given free rein. Patty Duke enjoys herself in a dual role, and Smart, who as an actress is an attractive young blonde, also enjoys herself. In sum, then, this is a blemished but yet pleasing tribute to all community theatre associations that, in words from Rostand, "work without one thought of gain or fame."

Peter (Marcus Thomas) has just received a letter from this girlfriend, explaining why she has fled the relationship. It hurts. Although Peter has a successful job as an art director for a thriving company, he knows he needs to broaden his horizons. Therefore, when he spots an ad for community theater auditions, he signs up, hoping for a small role. But, no, he gets chosen to play the lead in Cyrano de Bergerac! Can he do it? The other theater people, including Michael (John Corbett) and Grace (Amy Smart), are so talented, how can Peter measure up?

Thomas does a fine job as the newcomer to theater, and really, to life. Patty Duke is also quite engaging as a grumpy theater support staffer. But, ah, Corbett and Smart. John Corbett has never been more attractive or seductive as in this role and Smart is beautiful and bubbly. They are, in this viewer's opinion, the main reasons this film works so well. Costumes, plot, and the Portland scenery are fulfilling, also. For those who love ensemble movies with engaging dialogue, romance, and lessons in life, this one is your cup of tea. Drink it slowly, with savor.