Property Search
Cars Online
Insurance For Women
Free Insurance Quote
Life Insurance
Online Dating
Flights Online
Play the UK Lottery
Compare quotes. Insure.
Place your Bet!
Flight Centre Specials
A fishy yarn
By Nils van der Linden
Posted Thu, 18 Mar 2004
After the vacuous Hollywood spectacle that was 'Planet of the Apes', Tim Burton has returned to what he does best: small, quirky films filled with oddball characters. Like Burton's best work ('Edward Scissorhands', 'Sleepy Hollow' and 'Ed Wood'), 'Big Fish' relies as much upon the characters as the director's overpowering visual flair. The result is an engaging film that offers both substance and style by the bucketload.
Edward Bloom (Albert Finney) is an outlandish storyteller of Baron von Munchausen proportions. Apart from swimming, he enjoys nothing more than telling tall tales about his life experiences which involve witches, giants, siamese twins, and a werewolf. But Bloom's son, Will, is tired of the far fetched stories. He wants to hear the truth about his father's life, without the hyperbole.
Yet, as much as 'Big Fish' is about a son trying to learn more about his dying father, it is a look at the power of storytelling. Bloom's tales form the focal point of the film — driving it along and injecting the necessary humour and magic. Shown in flashback, with Ewan McGregor playing the young Edward, they recount his exploits as a hardworking circus-hand, brave World War II soldier, successful travelling salesman, and kind-hearted philanthropist.
Although the name Forrest Gump may spring to mind, Bloom's stories are even more outlandish, incoporating fantasy with a generous amount of self-promotion. While Gump was always an unwitting participant in events, Edward places himself in the centre of his anecdotes — which are idealistic, overwhelmingly boastful, and hugely entertaining. They're warped, modern day fairytales presented in a bright, sunny style not usually associated with Burton.
But he pulls it off, helped by McGregor's cheeky performance. All playful arrogance and cheesy grins, the actor turns the young Edward into the perfect fairytale hero: dashing, fearless and good-natured. Finney recreates the old Edward as somewhat more cantankerous but, by retaining most elements of McGregor's portrayal, ensures that Edward remains a larger than life character. But, with these strong performances, Jessica Lange (as Edward's wife) and Billy Crudup (as Will) are continually upstaged. Similarly, the flashback scenes are more appealing than the present day action where Crudup is the main protagonist.
But these gripes are minor and without the focus on the father and son relationship, 'Big Fish' would probably have been little more than a stylish, but insincere, popcorn movie.
Instead Burton has crafted an appealing little film that entertains without neglecting the human elements of the story.
For more on the film, visit the official website: http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/bigfish
What the international critics said...
"Offers its audience a long and winding road, with refreshing pauses. And it proves
that mega-budgets have not spoiled Tim Burton's vision."
- Philip Wuntch, DALLAS MORNING NEWS
"Big Fish is so strange and so literary that audiences seeking conventional fare may get impatient with it. But it always takes effort to catch the big ones. This one is worth it."
- Michael Wilmington, CHICAGO TRIBUNE
"Director Tim Burton finally hooks the one that got away: a script that challenges and deepens his visionary talent."
- Peter Travers, ROLLING STONE
"Not only is Mr. Burton at the top of his form in endowing his tallest stories and wildest magical conceits with emotional conviction, but he is aided by a superb acting ensemble that never loses its footing in the treacherous swamps of make-believe."
- Andrew Sarris, NEW YORK OBSERVER
"... an amazing looking film."
- Richard Roeper, EBERT & ROEPER
"You'd think that Burton, whose movies can be so
invigoratingly nasty or so hypnotically moody, would be able to pull off a gentle, mainstream crowd-pleaser without making it dull or preachy. But Big Fish is both."
- Stephanie Zacharek, SALON.COM
