Review of Bigger Than Life (1956) by Stephen C — 13 Dec 2010
Nicholas Ray was one of the most outstanding directors of the golden Hollywood period,and this film has become one of his most higly regarded films ,thanks to the praise of Godard and Truffaut and Later Wim Wenders.
The premise is simple James Mason plays a school teacher who becomes ill and is given a wonder droug called cortiszone.
At first his mood is one of elation but slowly he begins to question all American values as he desecends into addiction and mental health problems .
Mason is simplly terrific here as we see his wild mood swings and quest for more drugs begin to rip his family apart.
Ray pushes the boundaries back in a Big Studio picture that only a few other directors did at that time.
The use of colour and the wide screen helps the film no end and in the hands of Ray its a masterful peice of filmaking.
Barbara Rush and Walter Matthau lend sterling support and despite the films happy ending there is still a lot of high drama along the way.
A master film by a master director I urge you all to watch this film.
This review of Bigger Than Life (1956) was written by Stephen C on 13 Dec 2010.
Bigger Than Life has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
