Bigger Than Life

Bigger Than Life is a 1956 American drama film directed by Nicholas Ray and based on a New Yorker article by medical writer Berton Roueché. The movie stars James Mason, who also served as one of the producers, alongside Barbara Rush and Walter Matthau. This film delves into the dark side of American suburbia, examining themes such as addiction, mental illness, and the pressures of societal expectations.

The film centers on Ed Avery (played by James Mason), a schoolteacher and a part-time taxicab dispatcher who lives a seemingly normal, middle-class life with his loving wife, Lou (played by Barbara Rush), and their young son, Richie. Ed’s life takes a dramatic turn when he collapses and is subsequently hospitalized. After undergoing tests, he is diagnosed with a rare inflammatory disease that is causing him severe pain and is threatening his life. To treat his condition, his doctor prescribes cortisone, a then-new and experimental drug.

At first, cortisone appears to be a miracle cure. Ed's health improves dramatically, and he experiences a newfound vitality and energy. He returns to his life feeling better than ever before, eager to embrace activities and projects he had previously lacked the energy for. However, it's not long before Ed starts to exhibit subtle changes in his personality. Where he once was reserved and calm, he becomes exuberantly confident and overly ambitious.

As the story unfolds, the audience watches Ed transform from a loving family man into someone who is increasingly erratic and driven by grandiose delusions. His initial euphoria turns to mania and an obsession with executing plans for a grand educational scheme that he believes will revolutionize the school system. Consumed by his own vision of being someone of extreme importance, Ed begins to alienate those around him, including his colleagues and family.

Barbara Rush as Lou Avery is the quintessential concerned housewife. She becomes increasingly frightened and confused by her husband's unusual behavior, and is fiercely determined to stand by him while struggling to understand what is happening to the man she loves. Lou's character confronts the stigma of mental illness and the difficulties faced by families dealing with a loved one's psychological breakdown.

Walter Matthau, in a supporting role, plays Wally Gibbs, a fellow teacher and friend of Ed. His character serves as both a confidant to Ed in his healthier days and a voice of reason as Ed's behavior spirals. He is representative of the external observation that something is profoundly wrong, underscoring the growing concern for Ed's state of mind.

Throughout Bigger Than Life, Ray’s direction offers a stylish and somewhat melodramatic portrayal of this descent into madness. From a technical standpoint, the film features inventive cinematography and uses color, framing, and perspective to underline the psychological tensions at play. The domestic environment, portrayed at first as a sanctuary, becomes a claustrophobic and surreal stage for the unfolding drama, reflecting the protagonist’s inner turmoil.

The film's narrative is a harrowing depiction of drug addiction, as Ed's increasing dependence on cortisone leads to a dangerous cycle of abuse and withdrawal. Although a medical prescription, cortisone becomes Ed's compulsion, underscoring the idea that addiction does not discriminate and can pervade even the most respectable of homes. The story also touches on the era's medical ethics and practices, raising questions about the power and responsibility of science as it encroaches on human lives with treatments that may not be fully understood.

"Bigger Than Life" was thought-provoking for its time, critiquing the illusion of the American Dream by showing how quickly a suburban family's idyllic life can be turned upside down. It dared to confront the uncomfortable issues lurking beneath the surface of mid-century society, including the limitations of traditional masculinity, the perceived failure to fulfill expected roles, and the emotional suppression common among men of that era.

While not a box office success upon its initial release, Bigger Than Life eventually came to be appreciated as an ahead-of-its-time commentary on American life. It's recognized for its bold narrative and is often praised for Mason’s intense and captivating performance. Together with Nicholas Ray’s innovative direction and the supporting cast's compelling portrayals, the film has secured its place as a classic, insightful into the complex underside of 1950s America, inviting reflection on the costs of conformity and the fragility of the human psyche.