Review of Big Fish (2003) by Katie H — 23 Sep 2013

Big Reviews, Big Fish.

"Big Fish" runs away with originality creating an adventure that engages you from start to finish which is only to be expected from Director Tim Burton (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Alice in Wonderland). Burton is able to use vivid images to capture feelings of love, loss, and reconciliation by recounting fables in a deeper, more truthful way. Not an easy feat, but easier done with the help of actors Albert Finney and Ewan McGregor.

Life is full of stories. And Edward Bloom (Albert Finney) sure has a lot of them. His son, William Bloom (Billy Crudup), is fed up with hearing over exaggerated stories about his father's past. These stories sound downright unbelievable. William has always been frustrated with hearing these stories over and over again to the point he stops talking to his father. Yet when he hears of his father's impending death, William revisits these stories in an attempt to determine fact from fiction.

Stories that once were interesting to William as a child now are repeatedly told. On his deathbed, Edward tells his life story one last time. Ewan McGregor (the young Edward Bloom) comes to life in the descriptions given by Albert Finney. Edward searches for bigger things and ultimately his place in his life. It is a universal idea that the audience can understand. Skepticism is to be expected heading into this film due to its quirkiness. However, the humor and the fantasy of it all speak the loudest truths that can be related to the most.

Albert Finney once again preforms in a theatrical role where he gets the center stage. He is frustrating yet honest with his wide-eye expressions and slow, deliberate speech. His rich voice keeps the audience waiting to see where he will take the story next. Flashbacks show Ewan McGregor (the young Edward Bloom) whose hand gestures fly across the screen giving his character more personality than just the lines he speaks. He is endearing and has an almost innocence about him that makes his role more believable amongst all the far-fetched stories around him.

With each story the audience is kept questioning what turn it will go in. From a utopian town to bank heists, this is a movie that will keep you entertained the whole duration. There is a level of unusualness that only Tim Burton can create. The audience knows these stories are not quite true so this allows director Burton to not be bound by limitations of reality. He is given the freedom to show off his creativity.

Each story is surprising and brings with it memorable images. Burton's use of special effects bring life to these stories beyond what words can do. He presents the utopian town as perfection with a tint of eeriness and we are found begging Ewan McGregor to leave the town. When he does eventually leave time freezes, popcorn that was thrown in the air is stuck there floating which he pushes aside to see his future beautiful wife. It is a unique scene that sticks in the audience's minds.

Tim Burton with the help of Albert Finney and Ewan McGregor weave the unthinkable into a beautiful masterpiece. Whether these stories have truth in them is up for you to find out.