film: review

> BIG FISH (2003)
Tim Burton at his best!

By John C. Lyons
Film Critic

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, Helena Bonham Carter

Directed by: Tim Burton

Written by: Daniel Wallace (novel) John August (screenplay)

Genre: Fantasy/Drama/Comedy

Our Rating: 9/10

This is a film about one man’s relationship with his father and the importance of story. Will (Crudup) seeks to find the true story of his father’s (Finney/McGregor) life trimmed of all the fat. Most people love a good story. From the tallest tale to an everyday account, if it is well-told, there are bound to be a few listeners gathered. This is a wonderful movie about a great storyteller and his troubled relationship with his son. Will has grown tired of his father’s tales and after three years of separation the two are reunited to hopefully reconcile their differences as the son himself is becoming a father soon. Big Fish is a Tim Burton (Batman, Ed Wood, Edward Scissorhands) masterpiece. Compared to some of his previous work, the story allows itself to be more accessible to the mainstream audience, while still giving the director plenty of room for his usual visual oddities.

The cast puts in great efforts toward each character from the believable to the exaggerated. There are some great ones here. Most notably Finney and Lange as an aging couple (Ed and Sandra Bloom) who have reached an understanding of one another and a great love for each other. There is a scene with them getting into a bathtub together with their clothes on that really got me. Helena Bonham Carter (Burton’s wife) pulls double duty as the Witch and Jenny. Ewan McGregor portrays the young Ed very nicely and Billy Crudup fits well as the uptight son. On the fantasy side you have everything here from circus freaks to werewolves, giants to Siamese twins, and of course a big fish. Big Fish is beautiful, funny, touching, and well executed. I loved this movie! It really had an effect on me and I highly recommend it to everyone.

I saw this film at Cinemark’s Tinseltown 17 Theater on Peach Street in Erie, PA.

(04-0225)

related links:
Big Fish - official site

MPAA rating:
PG-13 for a fight scene, some images of nudity and a suggestive reference.

length: 125 minutes