NICHOLAS RAY’S BIGGER THAN LIFE @ THE FILM FORUM: THROUGH 1/8/9.

Nicholas Ray is one of those directors that gets mentioned a lot by film buffs, both in and out of academia. Yet most of us have only seen one or two of his films—Rebel Without a Cause, maybe Johnny Guitar. This hole in our cinematic knowledge can easily be corrected by seeing his 1956 classic Bigger Than Life, starring James Mason and Walter Matthau. Mason is a typical husband and father until his addiction to pain meds loosens his impulse control and unlocks delusions of being a true master of the house who must be obeyed at all costs. Ray is smart enough to place blame on the drugs but also on the ideal of the perfect 50’s man, as well as the attendant pressure that could send anyone over the edge. This might be a nice companion piece to the recently opened Revolutionary Road. You should hurry though; Bigger Than Lifeis only showing at the Film Forum through Thursday. You should go.

Bigger Than Life
Through Thursday, 1/8/9
1:30, 3:30, 5:40, 7:50, 9:50
Film Forum
209 W Houston Street
212-727-8110
Get tickets here.