Big Fish

Burton, 2003

                                

I have been a fan of this film for some time now, but when I dusted off the DVD from my shelf I was baffled to see this is a Tim Burton film. I am sure I have always known that but this film does not encompass all that I have come to know and love of his films. Forgive me if I tar his films with the same brush but I am used to horror, gore, thrilling story lines and cooky, gothic characters. In that respect this film is a breath of directorial fresh air. 

Big Fish is full of Burtons fantastical characters and unlikely situations, and yes there's a one eyed witch and a giant and some circus freaks. As I list these my original point starts to become invalid as these characters aren't too far removed from Burtonland. The new and interesting thing is the time frame of the film. It takes a look back at the life of Edward Bloom as his frustrated son William tries to decifer the fact from the fiction in his fathers life before it's too late.

The stellar cast is headed by Albert Finney (present day Edward Bloom) who despite ailments is full of life, experience and wonder. His fabulous tall tales of the wonder of his life are narrated with such enthusiasm and nostalgia that the viewer starts to wish every word was true.

Flashbacks to Edwards younger days (played out by Ewan McGregor) are a feast for the eyes. Whether it's a perfect town in the middle of nowhere with perfect people, a huge giant called Karl, or a frozen moment in a larger than life circus, the look of this film is that of a fairy tale story book.

What Burton does well in most of his films are hidden life lessons or morals, which each story in Blooms life reveals. One of the final and paramount scenes of this film is emotionally and visually beautiful. Will carries his father to the lake which he often talks about. As they pass characters from Edwards life Will is astounded and the viewers faith in Bloom's tall tales is rewarded. Emotional, bizarre and beautiful this film comes highly recommended as far as I'm concerned.

Edward Bloom is a man with a little bit of something we should all aspire to have: a sense of adventure and belief in the fantastical. The man truly is one Big Fish.

****/*****