Review of:Big Fish (2003)
Director:Tim Burton
Rating:PG-13 for a fight scene, some images of nudity and a suggestive reference
Starring:Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, Danny DeVito
Between the generations of mankind there sometimes lies a disconnect that can't be breached. Be it different philosophies of life or the loss of the ability to understand the actions of the other generation, that disconnect can affect the relationship between two people in unknown ways. The film Big Fish, although built upon the tall-tale-stories of a father told to a son, is really about the disconnect of one generation to the next.
For all of his life Will (Bill Crudup) has been told grand stories from his father. Stories of witches‚ giants‚ and twins attached since birth. He has been told these stories so much that he knows them by heart. With age comes the knowledge that the stories he was told as a child weren't altogether true, and the feeling starts to grow inside of him that something more sinister is being hidden behind them. This doubt about the who his father really is sets off a series of events between the two. The problems between father and son grow until they eventually stop talking, and the son moves far enough away that a remedy to their relationship is harder to come by. But like all things, eventually they will have to face their problems. When Will receives a call from his mother Sandra (Jessica Lange), past feelings are put aside, and the journey to find the truth begins.
Tim Burton has brought about such films as Edward Scissor Hands and James and the Giant Peach. For whatever reason the slightly off-the-wall story is what he is best at telling. With Big Fish, he has succeeded on an immense level in regard to the depth that this film finds. Ewan Mcgregor (of Star Wars fame) is the perfect choice for the younger version of Edward Bloom. He brings a bit of spunk to the part of the younger man, and even his accent for the part is right on. Surprisingly‚ he was almost unrecognizable to me until half way through the film‚ so different he is from the films I have seen him in. Not to be outdone, the elder version of Elder Bloom is played convincingly by (Albert Finney). The twinkle in his eye goes a long way in bringing the viewer into the worlds that he talks about.
The film is built upon the stories that Elder Bloom tells‚ and each one is captivating. In these stories lies the strength of the film and for Will they hold a bit of his father in each one.
This film is Tim Burton's best to date, and one in which the whole family will enjoy.
