Big Fish-Lots of Big Stories But Are They Any Good?
I can’t help but be something of a fan of Tim Burton. The man consistently picks smart scripts that enable him to incorporate his wacky visual sensibilities. Big Fish is a different sort of film for Burton, that really dives into interpersonal relationships more than some of his other works and in this sense may remind some of Edward Scissorhands. Big Fish essentially revolves around a father Edward Bloom (Albert Finney) who is retelling his life’s story to his son Will Bloom (Billy Crudup). Edward Bloom is something of a compulsive lair, to say the least, who has kept his son and others at bay via his tall tales, which Burton explorers masterfully. We see Edward take events such as meeting his wife and turn those simple events into amazing adventures with quirky and original settings.
Exceptional acting performances abound from Ewan McGregor who is fantastic as the wildly energetic younger Edward Bloom, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Steve Buscemi, Jessica Lange and of course Helena Bonham Carter. With such a strong cast it would be easy to over look the performances by Alison Lohman who plays the Sandra Bloom in her younger years and Missi Pyle who tosses in a great supporting role. Obviously part of what makes this film such a winner is the great cast.
In short, this is a must see, as the script really pulls you in and makes you care about the characters and their humanity. Albert Finney and Ewan McGregor do such outstanding jobs as Edward Bloom that by the end most people will be able to identify with some aspect of the character.
Burton, deserves some praise for doing a sharp directing job with the films approximately $65-$ 75 million dollars. What, ultimately, is projected onto the screen has a feel that is bigger than many films with more bucks to spend. Once again, Burton has done it, as the excellent visuals and visual effects serve the story. In the end, Big Fish tells a big story in a big fashion and does leave a big impression.
Story A+
Acting A+
Visuals A+
Originality/Innovation A+
Enjoyability Grade A+
Home Theater/HD Factor A+
Overall Grade A+
|
