Big Fish Review
by Marshall Garvey (hunter48 AT goodpeopleunite DOT com)January 5th, 2004
"Big Fish" (2003)
Review by Marshall Garvey
Rating (0 to 5): 4 Grade: B+
Starring Ewan McGregor (Young Edward Bloom), Albert Finney (Older Edward Bloom), Billy Crudup (William Bloom), Jessica Lange (Older Sandra Bloom), Alison Lohman (Young Sandra Bloom), Marion Cotillard (Josephine), Helena Bonham Carter (Jenny), Steve Buscemi (Norther Winslow), Danny DeVito (Amos Calloway)
Directed by Tim Burton
Produced by Bruce Cohen, Dan Jinks, and Richard D. Zanuck Written by John August (Based on the novel by Daniel Wallace) Original music by Danny Elfman
Columbia Pictures
110 minutes
Rated PG-13 for a fight scene, some images of nudity and a suggestive reference
Tim Burton's "Big Fish", like any film of his, is crazily ambitious and imaginative. Burton, who wrote the original "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and directed one of my very favorite movies, "Ed Wood", once again lets his imagination run wild in his latest feature. There's a town where people don't wear shoes, conjoined Siamese twins, and a witch with a glass eye that predicts one's death. These parts, though, are only part of the fantasy side of the plot, which occasionally bobs back up to reality. Either way, it's emotionally gripping, and with a combination of Burton's direction and a stellar cast, there's little that goes wrong in this delightful tale.
The story involves a father, Edward Bloom (the older version of which is played by Albert Finney, with great charisma), and his son William (Billy Crudup). All his life William had time and time again heard his father tell tall tales about his life. Will was at first fascinated, but as he got older he soon began to realize that these stories were lies. The two eventually part when Edward tells one of his tales at his son's own wedding, but three years later, after little mention of each other, Ed ends up on his deathbed.
While William and his wife Josephine (Marion Cotillard) visit Edward and Sandra Bloom (Jessica Lange), most of the story is told in flashback of Edward's younger days (in which he's portrayed by Ewan McGregor). According to his story, when he was a boy he suddenly began to grow at a rapid (and I mean rapid) pace. This made him realize that he couldn't be cooped up in a small house, so when he grew up he set out to accomplish nearly every achievable feat possible in his small Alabama town. After coaxing a hungry giant named Karl (Matthew McGrory) to head for the city, he sets out as well to start a new life.
On his journey, Edward sees all kinds of things: jumping spiders, a mermaid woman, a town where no one wears shoes, and most of all, the love of his life ("They say that when you see the love of your life, time stands still. And it's true," says the older Edward as he tells the story). After time stands still, though, it suddenly speeds up again, and the girl, Sandra (Alison Lohman), disappears. To find her, Ed promises to work in a circus for free while obtaining one piece of information a month from the ringmaster Amos Calloway (Danny DeVito).
Every now and then, the film's story turns back to reality as William starts to realize how much he really wants to know about his father. Will he fall for the magic of these tall tales like he used to? Will he finally connect with his father? Do you think I'd actually give this all away?
I admit that a film can easily win me over by featuring one of my favorite actors, like Ian Holm or Sigourney Weaver. Steve Buscemi, who's always a pleasure to see, is my favorite part of the cast as poet Norther Winslow from the town of Spectre. In his best scene, we learn that Winslow has spent the better part of 12 years working on a poem that's only three lines long ("Grass is green; The sky is blue; I love Spectre!").
"Big Fish" has the distinction of featuring two great actors playing one character. While McGregor, certainly one of today's best onscreen figures, does his part well, Albert Finney is worthy of an Oscar for his much quieter but certainly moving role. If anything, you may become an instant fan of him even if you've never seen him in a movie before.
Aside from the uniformly terrific cast, this movie succeeds because of the formula for its story. Under Burton's direction, it comes as no surprise that it's unconventional. Better yet, though, is that it baits you (pun intended) for the end by flashing back to a very young Edward seeing his death in the witch's eye (we don't see it, though, so you'll have to wait). As the story progresses, you'll become more and more entranced and compelled to see the final outcome. Hold that dial! I'm not telling, but you figured that already, didn't you?.
This review is purely of my doing, and I do not copy off other reviewers.
So, what does this rating system mean anyway?
*****-A masterpiece of filmmaking that should be seen at all costs ****1/2-A fabulous movie. An absolute must catch.
****-An excellent show. Be sure to see it.
***1/2-A good film. Recommended.
***-Decent movie that could be a lot better.
**1/2-Average movie with a number of flaws.
**-Pretty bad with a few saving graces. Instantly forgettable. *1/2-Bad. Don't see it.
*-As much fun as having your seat kicked for two hours. 1/2-Like drinking liters of cough syrup. Boycott it. 0-Death may come
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