Review of Big Eyes (2014) by Chillindylan G — 28 Dec 2014

Tim Burton's "Big Eyes" is this year's "Saving Mr. Banks": It's a well-made movie, the cast is terrific, and it's as cute as the big eyes in Margaret Keane's paintings.

But there's not a lot of weight to the film. The film opens with a quote from Andy Warhol: "I think what Keane has done is terrific. If it were bad, so many people wouldn't like it." (I wonder if the same holds true for movies - if the Fast and Furious movies or the Transformer movies weren't bad, so many people wouldn't pay money to see them.

Right? Uh...) A film about art - especially art that has touches of expressionism - is the perfect canvas for a director like Tim Burton. Yet, we're only offered glimpses of Burtonesque strokes. One prime example comes when Margaret (played wonderfully somber by Amy Adams) is at a grocery store and sees everyone around her with exaggerated big eyes (like her paintings).

Certainly the eyes of her paintings are judging her and questioning why she'd allow her husband, Walter Keane (a deliciously evil Christoph Waltz), to take all the credit for her art. But it's the 1950s, and people don't buy "lady art," Walter informs Margaret.

If the eyes truly are "windows to the soul," then Margaret's eyes, although "big," are very good at concealing her true characteristics. In fact, the film never quite delves deep into her character.

The deepest we get comes when Margaret tells Walter that art is personal - it means something different to everyone. Certainly, the same can be said of films - films can mean something different to everyone.

Some people may fall in love with "Big Eyes." I did not. But walking down the hallway of Tim Burton's gallery, "Big Eyes" offers a nice, passing smile. (Final thought. Pay attention to the courtroom scene towards the end.

Anyone else get a "Lady From Shanghai" vibe?).