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Bigger Than Life

The story of the handful of hope that became a fistful of hell!

1956 · 1h 35m · Approved Drama
Directed by Nicholas Ray

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Overview

A friendly, successful suburban teacher and father grows dangerously addicted to cortisone, resulting in his transformation into a household despot.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
91%
Tomatometer
Fresh

The suits wanted a torn-from-the-headlines melodrama; what they got was the director at his expressionistic best, subverting the suburban fantasy and leaving nothing but tattered gray flannel and scorched earth in his wake.

David Fear, Time Out New York
Fresh

James Mason has picked a powerful subject for his first 20th-Fox production and delivers it with quite a bit of dramatic distinction in carrying out the supervisory duties and as the male lead.

Variety Staff, Variety
Fresh

It's hard to think of another Hollywood picture with more to say about the sheer awfulness of 'normal' American family life during the 50s.

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Rotten

Those who remember the creeping terror and eeriness of Mr. Roueche's real-life yarn will be sorry to learn that there is little terror or eeriness in the film.

Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Fresh

This is Rebel Without a Cause for the grown-up world.

Time Out

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