Review of Big Eyes (2014) by Matthew F. J — 07 Jan 2015

After a decade of very poor films and disappointing ventures into his bizarre and gothic world, Tim Burton resurrects his genius and beautiful ability to make great films once again with this incredible piece on Margaret Keane, one of the most talented and famous female painter of the late 20th century.

The film benefits from a luminous light and a cinematography that will transport you into this beautiful sad and immensely intriguing film about the life , work and struggles of one of the most enigmatic contemporary painters.

Burton has surrounded himself with some usual collaborators such as Danny Elfman for the music, but this time his cast is entirely filled with new faces and it feels like a breath of fresh air. Christoph Waltz is impeccable as the tormented and frustrated failed painter Walter Keane who sees in Margaret's work the opportunity to make a fortune.

combining his sense of business and connections with the talent of his wife, success arises very soon and both benefits from it until the lies and greed of one destroys everything. The smart thing about this film is the nuances Burton inject sin his story and make his characters so human and likeable, even though sometimes they are not, he manages to avoid the clichés to depict one sided characters solely good or bad but rather intricately complex and thus wonderfully layered and interesting.

It's been a very long time since I was thrilled by a Tim Burton film as much as with this one. One can only hope that Burton in the future will take more risk and venture into some different projects such as this one because his talent is undeniable but his choices of projects are not always rewarding.