Beale Reviews Big Fish

[Beale the Rippe]

Big Fish (http://www.movieforums.com/reviews/244)

I recently watched Francis Ford Coppola's The Conversation, in which Gene Hackman tries desperately to decipher the meaning of a conversation he taped. Hackman finds out by the end that the importance lies not in what is said, but how it is said. Oddly enough, that is essentially the same theme which drives Big Fish.

Big Fish is the tale Edward Bloom's extraordinary life, or, more specifically, the tale of Edward Bloom's tale of his extraordinary life. As the movie opens, we see Bloom (played in his youth by Ewan McGregor and in his twilight by Albert Finney), telling the same story of how he caught an enormous catfish to his son, William Bloom (Billy Crudup) at different stages of his life. By the time of Bloom tells the tale at his son's wedding, the son makes it known he is fed up with his father's tendency to make up stories. The rest of the movie is basically the William trying to establish what actually happened during his father's life. This reconciliation takes the form of Bloom telling the fairy tale that is his life to his son. (I don’t wish to give out much more of the plot, for fear of taking the element of surprise out of this movie)

This movie lives on the knife's edge between tragedy and comedy, between reality and fantasy. The scenes between father and son are deeply moving, sometimes heartbreaking, other times strangely uplifting. Bloom's tales are so wonderfully outlandish that they could've only been cooked up in Tim Burton's mind. Here you can find humorously warped depictions of giants and witches, as well as things more traditional like small town life and true love.

This movie works on so many different levels. It is an engaging drama, a beautifully crafted (and often darkly funny) fairy tale, it is a heart-warming romance, a satire (on stories and stereotypes amongst other things).... in short, you can go to this film expecting almost anything and leave very happy. Burton gives some of the most inspired direction in his career, this movie is stunning to behold. I might go so far as to say magical. All of the actors give top-notch performances, especially McGregor and Finney. Every scene that is centered on Bloom is one for the history books, and I cannot give enough credit to the men who brought this wonderful character so perfectly to the big screen. Big Fish is, without a doubt, one of the best films to come out this year.

The Bottom Line: You need to see this sentimentally disturbed, beautifully crafted movie.

[Caitlyn]

Great review Beale… :) ... I haven’t seen this yet, but definitely want to…

[Jackie Malfoy]

If I ever had a change I would go and see it!I still don't think it is dark enough for a Tim Bortin movie but maybe it is the plot or something!When I first heard the title I thought it was a Dr Saus movie!
You know that one book that has something to do with fish?(Not that I read that anymore!) :eek: ;)
Anyway still good review!(Pats back!)See you around!JM :cool: ;) :p :D :)

[blibblobblib]

Big Fish (http://www.movieforums.com/reviews/244)

I recently watched Francis Ford Coppola's The Conversation, in which Gene Hackman tries desperately to decipher the meaning of a conversation he taped. Hackman finds out by the end that the importance lies not in what is said, but how it is said. Oddly enough, that is essentially the same theme which drives Big Fish.

Big Fish is the tale Edward Bloom's extraordinary life, or, more specifically, the tale of Edward Bloom's tale of his extraordinary life. As the movie opens, we see Bloom (played in his youth by Ewan McGregor and in his twilight by Albert Finney), telling the same story of how he caught an enormous catfish to his son, William Bloom (Billy Crudup) at different stages of his life. By the time of Bloom tells the tale at his son's wedding, the son makes it known he is fed up with his father's tendency to make up stories. The rest of the movie is basically the William trying to establish what actually happened during his father's life. This reconciliation takes the form of Bloom telling the fairy tale that is his life to his son. (I don’t wish to give out much more of the plot, for fear of taking the element of surprise out of this movie)

This movie lives on the knife's edge between tragedy and comedy, between reality and fantasy. The scenes between father and son are deeply moving, sometimes heartbreaking, other times strangely uplifting. Bloom's tales are so wonderfully outlandish that they could've only been cooked up in Tim Burton's mind. Here you can find humorously warped depictions of giants and witches, as well as things more traditional like small town life and true love.

This movie works on so many different levels. It is an engaging drama, a beautifully crafted (and often darkly funny) fairy tale, it is a heart-warming romance, a satire (on stories and stereotypes amongst other things).... in short, you can go to this film expecting almost anything and leave very happy. Burton gives some of the most inspired direction in his career, this movie is stunning to behold. I might go so far as to say magical. All of the actors give top-notch performances, especially McGregor and Finney. Every scene that is centered on Bloom is one for the history books, and I cannot give enough credit to the men who brought this wonderful character so perfectly to the big screen. Big Fish is, without a doubt, one of the best films to come out this year.

The Bottom Line: You need to see this sentimentally disturbed, beautifully crafted movie.

Brilliant review Beale, youve more or less said everything i want to hear, now lets hope youve said everything i agree with too! Cannot wait to see this film, think its out over here this month. I'll let you know what i thought :yup:

[LordSlaytan]

Hey! It's great that you wrote a review for this bad boy Beale. I enjoyed reading it. Now all I need to do is go see it.

[Kong]

Bloom's tales are so wonderfully outlandish that they could've only been cooked up in Tim Burton's mind.
But they weren't. They were cooked up from the mind of the novel's author, Daniel Wallace, and that is if you use the term "cooked up" in a rather free manner. Really, they are just variations on well treaded tales from the biblical flood to Brigadoon to "the one that got away".

Everyone probably knows by know that Kong thought this film was just your regular old mediocre heart-warmer so he'll just shut-up.

[Beale the Rippe]

But they weren't. They were cooked up from the mind of the novel's author, Daniel Wallace, and that is if you use the term "cooked up" in a rather free manner. Really, they are just variations on well treaded tales from the biblical flood to Brigadoon to "the one that got away".

Everyone probably knows by know that Kong thought this film was just your regular old mediocre heart-warmer so he'll just shut-up.

Very right. I was somwhat misleading in that...and I did use the term "cooked up" very liberally. Alas.... :p

[ATLien]

That film was so amazing. I keep thinking about it all the time. It is just one of those movies that does that.

[LordSlaytan]

I went to see Big Fish today and liked it quite a bit. I don't see it as being the best film of the year like some critic's make it out to be, but it was very good nonetheless.

I kind of expected it to be more fantastical than it was, with brighter and more flamboyant colors, like Edward Scissorhands. Yet it seemed just right without it. I found myself laughing out loud a few times (scratching ear) and moved close to tears at others (The last and final story). I could tell that Burton really put his soul into it, and would take one movie like this instead of a thousand Planet of the Apes any day.

I’d give it 4 out of 5 buckets of popcorn.

[CrazyforMovies]

You really got me interested..Is it a movie or DVD worthwhile film?

[LordSlaytan]

You really got me interested..Is it a movie or DVD worthwhile film?


It's not chocked full of effects like The Matrix, so DVD will work, but the silver screen is still always better.

[Beale the Rippe]

You really got me interested..Is it a movie or DVD worthwhile film?

I would definately see it in theaters.

And, to Slay, I was moved to tears twice. But I think I cry for different reasons than everyone else... :bawling: ...I'm odd. ;)

I'd say...4th best film of the year (after LotR, Kill Bill, and Master and Commander...I haven't seen Lost in Translation yet. :( )

[Ezikiel]

I liked this movie, I really enjoyed it, but I do think this film is overrated. I don't think I would add it to my top ten list for 2003, I don't think it was that great to be on my list. By the way, good review Beale. :)

[Beale the Rippe]

I liked this movie, I really enjoyed it, but I do think this film is overrated. I don't think I would add it to my top ten list for 2003, I don't think it was that great to be on my list. By the way, good review Beale. :)

Thanks man. What would your top ten be made of?

[Ezikiel]

Thanks man. What would your top ten be made of?
Well I have a list right now, but I don't wanna make the final list till I see some more movies. Kill Bill Volume 1, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and Matchstick Men are my favorite movies from 2003 so far. I'm seeing Lost in Translation this week, so I might change my list.

[Beale the Rippe]

Very cool. :D

[Jackie Malfoy]

I take back what I said about it not being a Tim Burton movie it is. Even through it is more strange then dark.Now that one movie "The nightmare before Christmas"is darker then this movie.
But if you had not seen it yet see it I saw it with my dad and it is so good!You will be surpraise how much you like it!
See you around and your review did not skip anything out so I thank you for that!JM :cool: ;) :D :)

[Beale the Rippe]

I take back what I said about it not being a Tim Burton movie it is. Even through it is more strange then dark.Now that one movie "The nightmare before Christmas"is darker then this movie.
But if you had not seen it yet see it I saw it with my dad and it is so good!You will be surpraise how much you like it!
See you around and your review did not skip anything out so I thank you for that!JM :cool: ;) :D :)

Lemme alter what I said slightly. Big Fish, at least in my mind, is the best film Tim Burton has ever directed. The Nightmare Before Christmas is by far the best movie he's ever been involved in (he didn't direct it...he did the story though. :p ) :)

[Joe Popular]

This is movie was great! It is fantastic and whimsical, with a touching father-son relationship. It is the only movie I have ever been smiling and choke up at the same time, and I'm a guy!

[Caitlyn]

I saw this last night and absolutely loved it... I laughed, smiled and almost :bawling: in a couple of places... :D … Burtons back… :yup:

[blibblobblib]

Finally got to see this at a preview last night. doesnt actually come out over here till next Friday. Id have to say at first i was dissapointed. The film was not what i was expecting and in that way i was dissapointed. But mostly in every other way i loved it. But like Slayton said, i just didnt feel it was fantastical enough. i suspect that in order to make the whole film fantastical, it would take the magic from the stories that Edward Bloom tells, therefore the reality must be normal in order for Blooms stories to seem magical....ANYWAY i did endup loving it. It is definatly a grower for me. Its a film that when im sitting whatching it im thnking "i dont know if i like this....." but when im out and reflect back on the film i start to enjoy it more. I did want to fins it more emotional, but it was only the end that i found emotional. What else did everyone else find emotional? the last and final story is definatly a tear jerker and ends the film brilliantly. Billy Crudup was excellant as Edwards son and Albert Finney was very convincing and moving as the excentric Edward. Lang who i normally dont enjoy watching was also very good as Edwards wife. Over all i came out of the film satisfied...but it left me wanting a little more. Lets hope as i see it more and more i'll find that i don;t need anything else and its all right there. I give it 4 out of 5 fish :yup:

[jrs]

This is movie was great! It is fantastic and whimsical, with a touching father-son relationship. It is the only movie I have ever been smiling and choke up at the same time, and I'm a guy!



That is exactly the way I would put it. Though.....So you're a guy. That doesn't mean a thing. What, you think guys can't cry in sad movies? I burst out in tears and cried ( out loud nonetheless ) . Hey, what can I say.

[jrs]

Great review Beale!! ;)

[LordSlaytan]

Hey, what can I say.

You're actually a chick?

;D I tear up often, but hardly ever cry

[jrs]

You're actually a chick?

;D I tear up often, but hardly ever cry


I get very emotional. Lots of things make me tear up and eventually me cry...especially Big Fish due to the fact of the direct lik of father/son.

[LordSlaytan]

I was only teasing you. I don't think it's bad for a guy to cry during a movie, I know I have from time to time. But I'll tear up and get over it before I actually cry. Having a couple/three drinks while watching a flick makes it a bit harder. The ending to Blow made me bawl like a baby. The daydream of the reunion tore me up.

[greppin]

Its a film that when im sitting whatching it im thnking "i dont know if i like this....." but when im out and reflect back on the film i start to enjoy it more.

Big Fish has only just come out in the UK and blibblobblib pretty much sums it up for me. I went in the cinema expecting a big Tim Burton visual feast with not much regard for story line or character, however I got a touching drama and something with a message. It was a bit daunting, and all through the movie I couldn't help but think "I should be liking this" too... I suppose I need to watch it again without the hype and expectation.

[MyRobotSuit]

I saw it last night and loved it. I think my girlfriend and I were the only ones who did as everyone I heard leaving the cinema seemed to be criticizing and making fun of it.

I loved how the "story" world was so distinctive compared to the "real" world by lighting and amazing circumstances.

It was definatly a magical experience.

[LoopDiLoop]

the mythopoetic nature of the father's stories is perfectly suited to burton's wild imagination, but whereas in earlier films the father / son diffulties are always dark, here they come with a heavy dose of sugar and sweet things. the end of the film is sweet and tugs at the heart strings, but there's something false about it, the emotion-tugging feeling a bit lame and unearned, more like spielberg than burton. maybe his own impending fatherhood is making him want to lighten up or maybe he's just finally over his own estranged father, who died without the two getting to come together as here.

the story of the father and son may be the emotional heart of the story, but really it is in the telling of the tales where the film is best. on their own though, those stories don't amount to much. occasionally visually gorgeous (ewan mc gregor in a field of daffodils, or the scene where he first sees his future wife) and frequently very funny (particularly mc gregor's daring comando raid on the red-chinese) the tales do make the film worth seeing.

ultimately, for a film about the power of story telling, it's the very lack of power in the telling of the story that is big fish's biggest weakness. all heart and no soul, it's picaresque, quirky and whimsical. but it just isn't dark enough to be a true tim burton film. and the split between the two stories, unevenly paced as they are, just doesn't make it as engaging a piece of cinema as you would wish for from burton.