Big Fish (2003)

Tim Burton’s acclaimed fantasy drama, full of tall stories and fascinating characters.

Albert Finney and Ewan McGregor both play the character of Edward Bloom, a man who tells the most amazing stories about his life, regardless of fact or truth. Finney plays Bloom near the end of his life, dying of cancer, who wishes to reconcile with his son Will (Billy Crudup), whose aversion to his father’s tall tales caused him to leave years ago. When Will arrives at his family’s home, along with his pregnant wife (Marion Cotillard), he is drawn back into the fantasy of his father’s imagination, in order to find the truth behind his stories.

McGregor plays the younger Edward Bloom, during the outrageous adventures, which include a circus run by Danny DeVito, a giant played by Matthew McGrory, and Steve Buscemi as a bank robber. Oh, and in true Burton style, Helena Bonham Carter turns up as a witch. These legendary stories about Bloom make up his life, and reveal more about him than any real life account could.

One of the most enjoyable Burton films I have seen, Big Fish relies heavily on the wonderment of cinema, the immersive fantasy of storytelling. The characters are bold, creative figments of imagination, and they intertwine with compelling simplicity. Because the film is laid out as a chronicle of Edward Bloom’s life, there is a sense of inevitability about the plot, however, it could never be described as predictable.

The cinematography has a dream-like quality about it, moving through fantastical landscapes in a sweeping motion, allowing the audience to lose themselves within the narrative. Music is used to relate the era (such as some Buddy Holly), as well as enhance the emotion of the film, which becomes increasingly heavier towards the latter end of the movie.

A moving fantasy film, with plenty of imagination and pathos, Burton has captured the essence of brilliant storytelling with an A-star cast and some outstanding characters.