BIG TIME

BIG TIME
By Aine

Normally I try not to review older films on my website; it’s nothing personal, I just have enough trouble keeping up with the present. Big Time is a special case. A student film from 2004, directed by Geofrey Hildrew, and clocking in at only 29 minutes, Big Time is very special indeed.

It tells the tale of Richard Blunderbore, manager of a hardware store who also happens to be a giant [played by our late friend, Matthew McGrory]. Richard dreams of being a stand up comedian, but his parents discourage him, believing that people will only laugh at his size. In an interesting plot point, his parents are dwarves, portrayed by Michael J. Anderson (Matt’s Carnivale co-star) and Debbie Lee Carrington of Total Recall fame.

In a small twist of fate, a talent agent seeking the actor that can bail her out of her career wows, runs into the giant and promises him stardom, booking him as a man-elf with Santa Claus. When things go badly and Richard is humiliated on television his parents are furious, and eventually a hilarious scene takes place where Carrington beats a woman repeatedly in the knees with a wooden spoon; I found it funny anyway.

But I am straying from my path here. A sleazy Circus owner, fabulously done by Curtis “Booger” Armstrong, finds Richard and informs him that the elder Blunderbore’s left him high and dry and it is Richard’s chance to make good on their old contract while simultaneously achieving the fame he so desires. As we all well know, Circus owners are almost always evil, and he is soon humiliating Blunderbore and forcing him to do a giant elf routine every night. When Richard finally stands tall, no pun intended, and does his stand up routine for a cheering crowd; the evil Zamboni threatens him with breach of contract. Unfortunately for him the agent, along with Richard’s parents, come to save the day with the real contract in what could only be described as a Hollywood talent manager show down.

I have to say I have never in my entire life seen a student film look this fantastic, the budget must have been out of this world, and the acting is superb. It left me wanting more, but in a good way, I’d like to see this as a feature length film someday. Stunning imagery aside, I think what really stood out was the uncanny similarities to real life as a struggling anything in the world of show business. The sleazy people out to get you, the contracts and agents, the humiliation, and the drive to keep going despite it all. I think in many way Big Time was a parallel to the life Matthew McGrory actually lived when he first started out, and I found myself getting teary eyed quite often.

To see this film, please visit the wonderful website at http://www.bigtimemovie.com

Thanks to Geofrey Hildrew for the photos and everything else.

R.I.P. Matthew McGrory 1973-2005 We miss you!