Review of Big Eyes (2014) by Mark H — 28 Dec 2014

3 out of 5 stars. This seems to be a year for "safe" biographical films with "The Theory of Everything," "The Imitation Game" and now "Big Eyes." None of these films take unexpected chances or veer outside the margins.

Only "Wild" and "Foxcatcher" risk portraying dislikable characters with edgy behavior because these films concern a heroin addict and murderer. Tim Burton is one of the great underrated visual stylists of our age, yet this film hardly seems like he made it.

While the production design, costumes, cars and locations are all perfect, it is nowhere near as exciting as "Beetlejuice," "Batman," "Ed Wood" or "Sleepy Hollow." The supporting characters are thin and the main actors, while good, never break out into memorable scenes, although Waltz puts a lot of energy into his role.

Amy Adams is possibly the most talented actress to emerge in the last ten years, but she is almost shyly held back under a series of bad wigs. Perhaps with the real Margaret still alive and involved in the film, everyone keeps a respectful distance, but it prevents "Big Eyes" from soaring to what could have been.

This is a film about bad art and how the public embraced Keane. Burton could have made such a biting satire about the times, but only plays it safe.