Review of Bigger Than Life (1956) by James-Masaki R — 29 Nov 2010

Nicholas Ray already made his mark with "Rebel Without A Cause", redefining movies about school life of kids and their complications, but for Bigger Than Life, it's the other side: The schoolteacher who becomes a drug addict. Great use of framing, shadowplay, and light, and also milk, of all things, Ray brings a very social taboo at the time to the screen, with great results, but obviously a very negative reaction from cinemagoers...

A schoolteacher overworked is taken to the hospital, and prescribed a new medicine to calm his stress, and is told that he may die if not treated with the medication. But when he starts to feel better and exhuberant from the medication, little by little he ups his dosage, unknowingly causing him to lose it. Spiraling into madness, and uncontrollable rage and psychotic breakdowns, everyone loses in this very bleak 1950's melodrama.