Bigger than Life Review- By Michael Carlisle

Title: Bigger Than Life
Year: 1956
Director: Nicholas Ray
Country: US
Language: English

Many consider Rebel Without A Cause to be American Director Nicholas Ray's Magnum Opus, but I would disagree. Though that work is a masterpiece. Bigger than Life's startling depiction of the 50's nuclear family is even more remarkable. It's one of the greatest American films of that era, describing that particular decade in a way that would make even Edgar Allen Poe shiver. Does father really know best? Perhaps not. 

Schoolteacher and family man Ed Avery, who's been suffering bouts of severe pain and even blackouts, is hospitalized with what's diagnosed as a rare inflammation of the arteries. Ed agrees to an experimental treatment: doses of the hormone cortisone. Unfortunately the miracle drug turns his plain family life into a nightmare. 

In the 21st Century we often look at the 1950's as a Golden Age for the typical American family. Unfortunately this nostalgia is far too romanticized, we often forget the dangers that a single income nuclear household imposed upon society. The "father knows best" generation often had to learn the hard way that father didn't know best. For instance, what if the father had been abusive? what if the father was neglectful? In this particular case, what if the father had an addiction? Could the female of the house save the family? It was unlikely that she would even be able to get a divorce, as it was a logistical nightmare. One had to have a lot of time and money to remove themselves from a dangerous domestic situation back in the day. 

Bigger than Life depicts the patriarchal family system at its worst. At the beginning of the film Ed's family seems well adjusted, but there is always something off about them. Even when Ed tries his best to be the cheerful smile, we get a sense that there is something dangerous about him. Ray flips the American Dream on its head as the ideal class/race/family is thrown into chaos due to the institutions that bind them. Even the institution of religion is exposed as the masochistic Ed recites lines from the Bible in order to justify murdering his only son.

In conclusion, even though the picture ends with the family hugging as the father moves past his addiction it is not a satisfying climax. The family is still alienated; their isolation does makes it seem like another accident could happen. The dependency on the father as sole provider must cease if any American wishes to live a happy life. Praise it! 5/5