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Bigger Than the Sky

Play trailer Poster for Bigger Than the Sky PG-13 Released Feb 18, 2005 1h 46m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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12% Tomatometer 17 Reviews 54% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
When his girlfriend leaves him, depressed designer Peter Rooker (Marcus Thomas) shakes up his life by auditioning for a community theater production. Despite his horrible performance, director Edwina Walters (Clare Higgins) sees Peter's potential and gives him the part. Peter quickly adjusts to theater life, growing close to actor Michael Degan (John Corbett) and his co-star girlfriend, Grace Hargrove (Amy Smart). Trouble ensues when Peter falls for Grace, placing the play in jeopardy.

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Bigger Than the Sky

Critics Reviews

View All (17) Critics Reviews
Sheri Linden The Hollywood Reporter An off-putting combination of earnestness and apparent disregard for audience involvement. Feb 23, 2005 Full Review 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. Rated: F Feb 23, 2005 Full Review 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. Feb 22, 2005 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Unwatchable mushy comedy. Rated: C Oct 29, 2017 Full Review Daniel Eagan Film Journal International Bigger Than the Sky is, like its lead character, equal parts endearing and exasperating. Feb 23, 2005 Full Review 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. Rated: D Feb 18, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (48) audience reviews
David M I will admit that this movie probably doesn't hit home for those people who haven't acted in community or regional theater. If you have, however, you know just how true to life these characters and their personalities are. From the everyday working guy who just wants to try acting, to the person who just never graduates to "big time" despite talent, the manic-pixie dream girl who is the lead in everything, the costumer that will cut you if you mess up your costume or their system, to the big ego fish in a small pond who can't do without their nose/props to play a character...I've seen them all multiple times over decades. Not to mention the Kippy and directors like Edwina that put all this stuff together with, or in spite of, well-meaning Boards of Directors. If you only knew how true this movie was to life for those people who take time to act on the side. Just one pitch, real quick. Support your local live performers. It isn't "hey kids, let's put on a show!" like Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland anymore. They do all the functions of a Broadway production to recreate these shows locally. Except on Broadway that money goes into a single (hopefully) successful show with a long run to make money for the investors. These local theater companies always operate on a constrained budget, the actors are not paid professionals (community theater), and they put on not one show but multiple in a season - with all the logistical complications and costs associated with their level of production. So they need your time, your support (as actors, or volunteers, or Board), and monetary support to keep live theater available in local venues for you and your families as well as to provide opportunities for children and young adults interested in performing arts to get involved and get experience. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/18/23 Full Review Audience Member This movie is just bad - the acting is terrible and they do a terrible job of making you care about the characters. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Audience Member So many things wrong with this flick, starting with a protagonist who, although "nice enough," just isn't very likeable. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member Sweet film for community theater enthusiasts. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Audience Member I'm very inclined to like it since I'm in love with Portland, but, I'm afraid it didn't lift its own weight or carry its own water or nose out my negative feelings. It didn't even ruffle my panache! Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Audience Member All my theater fans should like this - maybe even "Rudy" fans would like this movie - the critics are unkind, but we enjoyed this old movie. John Corbett gives a marvelous performance. I love the part where Patty Duke locks her son Sean Astin in the closet. Very cool disposition of the ashes, too. Thanks, Marsha - it didn't pass the "Anne" test, but to her credit, we did walk 9 miles in the morning. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Bigger Than the Sky

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis When his girlfriend leaves him, depressed designer Peter Rooker (Marcus Thomas) shakes up his life by auditioning for a community theater production. Despite his horrible performance, director Edwina Walters (Clare Higgins) sees Peter's potential and gives him the part. Peter quickly adjusts to theater life, growing close to actor Michael Degan (John Corbett) and his co-star girlfriend, Grace Hargrove (Amy Smart). Trouble ensues when Peter falls for Grace, placing the play in jeopardy.
Director
Al Corley
Producer
Craig Borden, Mark Burton, Bart Rosenblatt
Screenwriter
Rodney Vaccaro
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corp.
Production Co
Neverland Films, Code Entertainment
Rating
PG-13 (Sexual References|Some Language)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 18, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$20.1K
Runtime
1h 46m
Sound Mix
Surround
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