hupfons5
Enjoyable Independent romantic comedy.(SPOILER) This film will appeal most to those who like to root for underdogs.Marcus Thomas is convincing as a untalented novice. One of his best moments comes in a scene with Sean Astin.Patty Duke will double your pleasure. Lovely Amy Smart gives an excellent performance too.This film also pays tribute to those for whom the theater is a labor of love. Although somewhat predictable, this charming story and the characters will "grow on you."
Jay Raskin
Forget King Kong and Crash. This movie is last year's real treasure.I bought the DVD because I've become a big John Corbett fan after watching Sex in the City reruns. He raises the level of everything he's in and I've never seen him in anything really bad. Okay, I did see him in "Elvis Has Left the Building," but his performance and Kim Bassinger's almost saved that movie. I watched "Bigger than the Sky" and was totally moved to tears and laughter. I watched it again the next night with my wife and 11 year old daughter and we were all moved. It is a really beautiful film that works on the level of the heart. John Corbett, as I expected was absolutely charming as a talented and outrageous actor. I didn't expect everyone else in the cast to be as good, but everyone was. Marcus Thomas had a difficult lead role to play as a clueless guy who finds himself over his head in community theater. He was absolutely convincing, an academy award caliber performance. I don't remember ever seeing Amy Smart, but she gave as good a performance as Claire Danes did in "Shakespeare in Love." I have to check out everything she's done and will do from now on. Sean Astin was delightful as always. The actor and actress who played Edwina and Kippie were also terrific. For those who remember the Patty Duke Show, this movie was like a super-episode of that show. Seeing Patty Duke playing twins again in this movie brought me back to my youth of 40 years ago. Truth be told I had a terrific crush on her and watching that show was one of the highlights of my week when I was 12 years old. The show had this incredibly positive liberal and liberating message. It was totally rock and rock and culturally subversive. Only the Dobie Gillis show (which also starred the wonderful William Shallert) was similar. It gave me hope for a positive world of peace, kindness, fair play, love and understanding. This movie brought back those feelings of hope for the future of the human race, something we can all use in these neo-fascist times. I think anybody who has a good heart will love this movie, as well as anybody who has been connected with the theater in any way. Like "Stage Beauty" and "Being Julia" it is a hymn to the world of the theater.
delmaraus
I really liked and enjoyed this movie - it's one of those very good low key movies like "Noel". Marcus Thomas has been a favorite of mine since "Cowboy Up" (a film that shows off his range a lot better than this), John Corbett is a helluva character actor, and Amy Smart was excellent. Patty Duke was absolutely great - I could go on and on - I really enjoyed Sean Astin, Claire Higgins, and Allan Corduner. I haven't seen too many critics appreciate this film - basically, they all say "it's all been done before". Well, that may be true, but seeing somebody else do what's been done can be entertaining also. I always gage a film by how much I like and pull for the characters - this one hooked me pretty quick.
dls30
I saw this film today with my friend, and although neither of us have any experience with community theatre (little of that here in NYC), we found this film to be quite charming and enjoyable. Yeah, sure, it could have used a little editing, but the actors are engaging, the dialog is humorous, and the relationships of the characters, though sometimes a little clichéd, have an underlying authenticity. Community theatre is portrayed not as the graveyard of failed actors, but as a community where talent and friendships are nurtured without regard for money and advancement. And, unlike the first reviewer, I thought the acting was quite good. My friend and I especially enjoyed the twin parts played by Patty Duke, since we're both old enough to remember her dual role on her TV show. See this movie if you're tired of blockbuster, sequels, and star vehicles.