Big Fish (2003)
An adventure as big as life itself.
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, Alison Lohman, Helena Bonham Carter, Robert Guillaume, Marion Cotillard, Matthew McGrory, David Denman, Missi Pyle, Loudon Wainwright III, Ada Tai, Arlene Ta, Danny DeVito, Steve Buscemi
Director: Tim Burton
Running Time: 125 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: PG
Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Before reviewing any film, I generally try - not always successfully - to avoid reading or listening to any outside blurb. The run-up to my trip to see 'Big Fish' was one of those occasions when something managed to slip through the net - in this case, news that this was director Tim Burton abandoning his trademark dark side and going squarely for fluffy-hearted cheeriness. Worrying stuff indeed. After being so thoroughly disappointed by 2001's ill-advised 'Planet of the Apes' remake, I didn't know if I could handle a second consecutive Burton let-down.
Having now seen it for myself, I don't know what I was so concerned about. Not only is 'Big Fish' a truly fantastic movie - it's quite possibly Burton's best ever. It's the tale, told predominantly in flash-back, of one man's weird and wonderful life of discovery on the road. His name is Edward Bloom and, if we're to believe the many stories he has to tell, his bygone years have unfolded like a modern day fairytale - only in many cases much more enchanting. He's encountered giants, jumping spiders, witches, bank robberies, conjoined twins and, of course, one extremely big fish.
Albert Finney captivates the audience as the old Edward Bloom, reunited in the present day with estranged son Will (Billy Crudup). Equally enjoyable to watch is Ewan McGregor (whose passable Alabama accent isn't the only thing in the film reminiscent of Forrest Gump), playing Edward as a young man. There's also a fantastic supporting cast including Helena Bonham Carter in a dual role, Steve Buscemi as a poet who suffers for his art, and a perfectly cast Danny DeVito as a carnival ringmaster.
'Big Fish' merges the real and the fantastical in a way that, in the hands of another director, may have seemed awkward and nonsensical. With Burton at the helm, the separation between fact and fiction never seems to matter. This is a truly magical film and Burton's the only man who could ever have delivered it. It's good to have you back, Tim.
It's Got: A genuinely touching ending that had several people at the screening I attended reduced to slightly-embarrassing sobs.
It Needs: To be seen by absolutely everyone - young and old.
Alternatives: Forrest Gump
Summary: This is already looking like a strong contender for best film of 2004.
Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 26th January 2004
External Links
Official Web Site
Big Fish at the IMDB
Comments23 Comments |
| My teenage daughter and I saw this movie and were both very disappointed. I would not recommend it to my friends. |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 14 February 2004 | ip: logged |
| what the ****, there is nothing disappointing in this movie. you and your daughter must both have no imagination or have ever dreamt in your life, and must just as well have no emotions either. |
| Comment by:- kyle | | 15 February 2004 | ip: logged |
| (to anonymous) both of you were disappointed? you wouldn't recommend it to your friends? what an idiot are you and your pathetic daughter!! you got no emotion, no imagination, no mind! and i don't think you got any friends and if you do, i'll wager my @$$ they'll say that you and your daughter are such both idiots! LOSERS!!! |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 22 April 2004 | ip: logged |
| A funny, moving, magical film exploring a father/son relationship, the line between how we present ourselves and how we really are and the importance of storytelling. Great performances, beautifully shot - what more could you want? |
| Comment by:- Mike | | 01 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| This Mpvie was Hell boaring and dosent deserve to be on shelves. |
| Comment by:- Mrs. Man | | 02 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| First,of all lets talk like adults!I think the movie was good, although it is confusing to many.I found it to be inspirational.However after reading reviews b/c I am writing a paper about the movie,I do have to agree that there are some strong issues within the story. Ex: Father doesn't spend enough time with wife & son, then father expects son to accept him for who he is, but the son is trying to figure out who his dad really is. I liked the movie, but overall I think the movie sends the impression that its ok to be an absent father. |
| Comment by:- NW | | 03 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| We (my young adult family and I) just watched it last night on DVD and we loved it. This move could if taken on face value be dissapointing but for those of us blessed with imagination and the ability to look a little deeper this is a very entertaining movie that makes many comments on our society and relationships. Great one Tim. |
| Comment by:- LC | | 12 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| i thought the film was hilaroius !! every scence was fun to watch, maybe a bit borin or a bit plain in parts !! but overall a good film and 1 of his many greast films by tim burton ( the nightmare before christmas, edward scissorhands) YAY !! |
| Comment by:- Amy | - | 29 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| I'm watching it now, and it looks interesting. I'll tell ya what I think when it is finished |
| Comment by:- DonHam | | 31 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| beautiful movie. very moving. i shed a tear at the end. absolutely wonderful. good to see Tim Burton showing a lighter side apposed to his usual dark films. The only thing i was dissapointed with was the guy who played the son. He just didnt sit right with me, but it didn't detract from the movie. 10/10. Definatley Best film of 2004. Oscar winner for sure!! |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 31 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| yoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, alles kids achter de rits |
| Comment by:- piet | | 14 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| piet die ken je niet hahahahaha hihihi |
| Comment by:- henk | | 14 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| I loved the film but unfortunately I **** my pants right near the end so had to leave the screening. Anyway, I look forward to seeing it now it is on DVD. To think, I got right to the end of it as well. Darn! |
| Comment by:- Mitchell | | 08 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| To clarify, I live with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, I wasn't trying to be crude or a smart alec. I had to leave The Last Samurai too for the same reason. Thank heavens for DVD's! |
| Comment by:- Mitchell | | 08 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| You people are all really weird in your comments.The movie was all right, it had it's good points and bad point. Stop acting like gradeschool punks and respect others oppinions! |
| Comment by:- Idiot Hater | | 11 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| I have not seen this movie.. i luckily or unluckily happen to read comments posted by many people.They are very interesting. I decided that i will watch this movie with picture in my mind that this movie will be great. I will comment again after watching the movie. |
| Comment by:- santosh | | 09 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| Now now, we are all entitled to our opinions... If people disliked the film, that is fine. Personally I was torn between giving it the thumbs up and the thumbs down- boring but strangely gripping. |
| Comment by:- Peter | | 16 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| Yes - Peter - that is called democracy - everyone "is entitled" to their opinion. Not that makes you smarter! Reading "entitled opinions" from such an empty uneducated unimaginative moronic first class idiots, is just excruciating! What - moves - you , if not such a refined sophisticated movie like this one? A Big Mac or full size-whatever KFC, perhaps? Or reading celeb gossip is more exciting for you - mother and daughter - unexcited by this movie? Death to idiots!!! |
| Comment by:- Lilith | | 28 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| Movie's ok, but nowhere near Forrest Gump. I think that movie was magical in every scene and thoroughly engaging the first time you watch it. Big Fish doesn't have the same effect as Gump. |
| Comment by:- Padayatty | neilpadayatty.tripod.com/essen... | 12 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| its OK --- why write critiques when there is so much else to do -- |
| Comment by:- Simon Oxley | | 15 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| i thought this was an amazing movie! everyone should see it!! and simon oxley, if theres no time, why would you bother to write that? it makes no sense...hehe im going to write a usless review and say i have no time to b/c im simon oxley and im special!! |
| Comment by:- Lauren | | 21 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| iecsh cobr si gwen schzi! :D:D yes yes it is very good! (movie) aaaou a-aoou aoou, aoou a-aoou! michael jacksons the best yea! |
| Comment by:- aooou a aoou aoou! | gwenzamala.com | 03 January 2005 | ip: logged |
| Great movie. |
| Comment by:- jomo99 | | 20 March 2006 | ip: logged |
