Today’s quick review: Big Fish. On his deathbed, Edward Bloom (Albert Finney) recounts his improbable life story to his son William (Billy Crudup). Beginning with his unusual childhood in small-town Alabama, Edward shares the many adventures he had as a young man (Ewan McGregor), each one more incredible than the last. With only weeks left with his father, William tries to get to the bottom of his tall tales and uncover the true story of his life.
Big Fish is a comedy, drama, and romance from director Tim Burton. Big Fish tells the larger-than-life story of Edward Bloom, a lifelong fabulist with a tall tale for every occasion, as well as the more grounded story of William, a son searching for the truth about his father. The film features polished presentation, a sentimental tone, and a supporting cast that includes Steve Buscemi, Danny DeVito, Helena Bonham Carter, and Marion Cotillard.
Big Fish manages its tone expertly. Tim Burton eschews his typical horror in favor of wonder. Edward’s tales have the surreal logic of folklore. They are peculiar but not unsettling, and even at their most exaggerated, they never lose their grounding in reality. Big Fish paints a mature yet optimistic picture of life. Though it touches on romance and tragedy, the film’s comedy is what shines through the strongest, making it a moving and fulfilling watch.
Watch Big Fish when you’re in the mood for a father-son story with a rich sense of wonder. Its mixture of loose biography and Americana won’t appeal to everyone, but those it catches the right way will find Big Fish to be an uncommonly rewarding experience. For a simpler tall tale, try Secondhand Lions. For a comedic American epic, try O Brother, Where Art Thou?. For a con man comedy that blurs the line between fiction and reality, try The Brothers Bloom.
8.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it the same for telling a great story and telling it well.