Bigger Than the Sky (2005)

13% of critics liked it
(16 reviews)
50% of users liked it
(1,388 ratings)

A regular guy adds some much-needed drama to his life in this comedy. Peter Rooker (Marcus Thomas) is a man who has come to a crossroads in his life -- he's just been given his walking papers by his girlfriend, has lost interest in his job, and is looking for something new in his life. Filled with… More A regular guy adds some much-needed drama to his life in this comedy. Peter Rooker (Marcus Thomas) is a man who has come to a crossroads in his life -- he's just been given his walking papers by his girlfriend, has lost interest in his job, and is looking for something new in his life. Filled with ennui, one evening Peter walks into a small theater where a community drama company is holding auditions for a production of Cyrano de Bergerac. While Peter has no acting experience and stumbles through his impromptu audition, director Edwina (Clare Higgins) thinks there's a great Cyrano lurking inside him, and gives him the title role. Before long, Peter has gained a new circle of friends, dominated by eccentric small-time actors Michael (John Corbett) and Grace (Amy Smart), who are playing Christian and Roxanne, and a new enthusiasm for life. But as it happens, both Peter and Michael have become infatuated with Grace, and as Peter tries to find a way to win her attention, Edwina begins to wonder if casting Peter was such a good idea after all. Bigger Than the Sky was the first dramatic feature from actor-turned-director Al Corley. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 46 min.
Directed By: Al Corley
Written By: Rodney Vaccaro
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Feb 18, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Jun 21, 2005
Studio: MGM/UA

Critic Reviews

Sheri Linden, Hollywood Reporter
An off-putting combination of earnestness and apparent disregard for audience involvement.
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
Are the filmmakers making meta use of a bland, uncharismatic actor to play a bland, uncharismatic actor who plays one of the theater's most memorable men? Nah, thinking like that requires panache.
Ed Park, Village Voice
Bigger lopes along endlessly, a no-surprises foray into backstage high jinks and the notion of life as the best acting coach there is.
Debra Birnbaum, New York Post
Nearly two hours of an earnest, predictable comedy about a pathetic schlemiel who hopes to redeem himself by acting in the community theater.
Jami Bernard, New York Daily News
It's strictly amateur hour.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Painfully well-intentioned, the film is undone by a lead character who undermines any goodwill earned by the performances of John Corbett, Amy Smart, Clare Higgins, Allan Corduner, Patty Duke and Sean Astin.
Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International
Bigger Than the Sky is, like its lead character, equal parts endearing and exasperating.
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle
Feels constrained by its unshakable predisposition toward actorly fawning.
Marc Mohan, Oregonian
The story is as predictable as it is saccharine. Apart from the presence of local landmarks, there's no reason the Rose City should be proud of this effort.
, E! Online
As the main character learns his life lesson from those kooky thespians, the rest of us are just reminded why we avoided drama club in the first place.
Jeff Otto, IGN Movies
A sweet story can't overcome a seriously flawed film.
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul), St. Paul Pioneer Press
It feels like a work in progress, but there is promise.
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher
Yup, this is another one of those flicks about how wacky life in the theater is, and how wacky theater people are, but it's a thoroughly charming example of the breed.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Keysha H

Josh Corbett was great, Marcus Thomas was one-dimensional. This film took 3 days for me to watch....had to keep taking breaks to power through it.