Review of Big Eyes (2014) by Leigh H — 06 Apr 2015

Art is something which is always quoted with questionable understandings, what I may perceive as being inspiring you may see as a blob of mess, which is why being an artist is something most people really struggle with. Being recognised as an artist usually comes about due to some form of tragedy mostly it would seem a true artist is discovered tragically after they have died, of course this isn't always the case and some artists throughout history have always had the eye to make the public stand up and pay attention. Although have you ever thought of how far your willing to go to achieve that fame? Have millions of people all know not only your work but your face, your name your achievements? Big Eyes is the biopic of Walter Keane a very famous and popular artist of the 50's and 60's who was well known for his painting of the waifs with Big Eyes, the film is the true story of who and how he was and the people who helped him become so successful along the way, and the truth behind the entire success.

1958 Northern California Margaret Ulbrich packs her car and her young daughter leaving her husband and her marriage behind, something not done and looked down upon in this era. She drives to San Francisco where she finds a job painting furniture illustrations in a factory, in her spare time and to make some extra money she sells some of portraits along the beach, one day she meets Walter Keane who is also selling his own paintings of Parisian laneways, he questions the oddness of Margaret's portraits and eventually a friendship is formed. Walter and Margaret form a strong friendship and due to necessity end up getting married and moving to Hawaii where both continue their art trying to break into the magical world of art and its critics. From this point on the story takes a remarkable turn one I won't spoil for you here.

Big Eyes is directed by the overly talented Tim Burton (Beetlejuice, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) so I was expecting things to get a little odd here and there due to his amazing visionary style but those odd things never eventuated something I'm undecided about whether I appreciated that or not. Instead Mr Burton has directed a very stylish and interesting drama and without all of his usual actors which was a little odd in itself not seeing Helen Bonham Carter or Mr Johnny Depp, on the other hand though Amy Adams (American Hustle, Enchanted) as Margaret Ulbrich and Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained, Inglorious Basterds) as Walter Keane were brilliant in their roles, I personally loved both of them, they did a great job bringing their characters struggles and demons to life. There isn't much that doesn't work in the film, from the soundtrack to locations and set design everything is fantastic my own criticism would be that it did have a lot of unnecessary chatter and moments that didn't help the film in anyway just made it go about 20mins longer than necessary.

Big Eyes is an enjoyable film good for the entire family, don't expect the quirkiness normally associated with Tim Burton though apart from the art which is quirky in itself. I liked this film a lot but don't see myself watching it again in the future it's kind of been given the tick and now I can move onto the next thing.