Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"There is no 'I' in me...", July 10, 2005
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 advisor 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, July 05
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An offbeat and wistful look at the importance of creativity in our lives..., August 28, 2005
Do you love "Cyrano De Bergerac"? Are you a fan of community theatre? Has your life been a little dull lately? Then you might want to check out this little movie about a man whose job, love life and personality are dull and uninteresting, until, on a whim, he tries out for a community theatre production of "Cyrano", and through a strange turn of events, ends up as the lead, beating out the much more obvious choice of the character played by John Corbett. What follows are a lot of small bits that slowly add up to a whole: a shy, dull man being urged to let his true nature out; an actress being pursued by the same quiet man and the wilder actor she used to date; the previous director of the theatre, and his passionate attitude towards life and death; a very strange pair of twin sisters, both played by Patty Duke (!), who couldn't be more different; a flamboyant, hammy actor played by Sean Astin (coincidentally, Patty Duke's son); and the whole threadbare but sincere passion for acting that infuses the whole company. It's slow going for a bit - after all, the main character starts out as dull as dishwater, but he has to, for his character arc to work. I found it had a sweet, offbeat charm, though. If you're into independent movies, give this one a try.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
PATTY DUKE'S STAR SHINES BRIGHT IN "SKY", April 8, 2005
This DVD is worth having in your collection for one reason ~ a chance to see PATTY DUKE in a dual role! While the film itself was released to limited areas, all the critics were unanimous in their praise for Duke. It seems a shame that a rare talent such as hers is not utilized in today's theatrical releases. The movie depicts a young man's journey to find himself and he lands an acting job in a local Theatrecompany. He meets several interesting characters and two of them are played by PATTY DUKE ~ Duke's real life sonSean Astin also plays a role in this film. "Bigger Than the Sky" is a DVD worth having in your collection if you are a fan of the theater ~ and a fanof fine acting.
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