Review of Big Fish (2003) by Dave S — 11 Apr 2012

I have a love-hate relationship with Tim Burton. On one hand, he made Beetlejuice and Sleepy Hollow. On the other hand, he made Sweeney Todd and Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, which I thought were absolutely awful. Thankfully, Big Fish is more former then latter, whilst not an instant classic like previous Burton films, it holds up much better, as possibly one of the most personal films Burton has ever directed.

Big Fish takes the whimsical look and style of a Tim Burton and attaches it to a plot about relationships, in particular the relationship between an estranged son and dying father. The son, played by Billy Crudup, was raised by Albert Finney, who told his life through âtall talesâ?, telling of meeting werewolves, mermaids, a giant. Unfortunately these âtall talesâ? have led to the son feeling his father has never really told him a truth, only ending about three years of estrangement when his mum rings and tells him that the father is near dead.

Whilst the father and son slowly repair their fractious relationship, we get to see âflashbacksâ? where Ewan McGregor plays the young father, travelling through life, attempting to win a beautiful womanâ(TM)s hand, working in a circus, going to war, and eventually, having his own son. The âflashbacksâ? are told in a slightly dramatic tale, which adds to the feel of âtall talesâ?, mixing well with the much more realistic elements of the dying father and his families struggle.

This all builds up to a very touching ending, where much is revealed, and stands up as a very good, heartwarming film about relationships and the stories we tell. Very happy with the film.