| BIGGER THAN THE SKY |
 2005 - USADirector: Al Corley
- Reviewed by Jennifer
Bigger Than The Sky is the nicest movie I've seen in a long time, and by nice, I don't mean bland or simple. It's a well-written, well-acted, feel good movie that seems to have fallen through the cracks. Sometimes I wonder if I live under that crack, because obscure movies packed with famous people are forever falling in my lap. Marcus Thomas stars as Peter Rooker, a kind and thoughtful man who feels somewhat invisible. His job demands a sheeplike willingness to follow along, and the office motto is "there's no 'I' in team". There is no "I" in Peter Rooker either, and he feels this acutely after his girlfriend dumps him. Searching for an outlet, Peter is intrigued by fliers advertising an open audition for Cyrano de Bergerac. The play strikes a chord in him, and Peter decides to give it a shot. He never dreams that he'll be given the leading role. Though he has no acting experience, the director sees Cyrano in Peter: a passionate, intelligent soul searching for a way to be seen for who he really is. The other cast members aren't so sure. Peter's a nice guy, but he clearly has no idea what he's doing. To save the play, the other leads take Peter under their wing, offering friendship and encouragement. Their influence slowly draws him out of his shell, and shows him the potential in his life. John Corbett plays the boisterous Michael, a role that truly demonstrates his range as an actor. Michael is a commanding presence who emanates confidence and charm. He's blunt, hard living, and a little unruly, but his wild personality belies his depth and intelligence. At the encouragement of his sometime girlfriend and fellow actor, Grace (Amy Smart), Michael becomes a mentor to Peter. Though he and Grace share an open relationship, Michael becomes jealous when Grace gets too close to Peter. Now caught in a love triangle, it still doesn't look as though Peter will be able to pull off his role as Cyrano. At this point, the much reviled but sufficiently talented, Ken Zorbell (Sean Astin), steps in as a replacement. Sean is at his cocky best in the role of a contemptible smart ass, and we even get to see Patty Duke (who plays twins—just like she did on The Patty Duke Show!) call him an "enormous turd" and lock him in a closet. Hee hee! Will Peter find a way to find the "I" in himself? You'd better believe it, and watching him unleash his inner hero is nothing short of inspiring. Bigger Than The Sky is a quiet little movie with more heart than most blockbusters. The thoughtful writing and strong performances that drive the film allow the audience to care about the characters and be moved by the story. Other reviewers have been less enthusiastic, but it was a hit at my house. What the heck—I'm not afraid to be the only girl who likes this movie. There has always been an "I" in Jennifer. |
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