You can count on Tim Burton to tell you a "tall tale."

Rating: 9/10 (27 May 2005)

How many of us have met someone who always tells us "tall tales?" Are they true stories or are they mostly exaggerated? As you watch this film your mind may well be asking that question: Is Albert Finney's life as Ed Bloom, a mere figment of his imagination or did he actually live all those "adventures." Such is the theme of this fine Tim Burton film from 2003.
What I like about Tim Burton's films is that I can NOT "second guess" the story as it progresses. That keeps to a surprise what's coming around the corner in the next five minutes as the scenes progress.
The film is well served by the acting talents of Albert Finney, Ewan McGregor, and Billy Crudup in the two main character roles with Ewan McGregor playing the young man Ed Bloom and Albert Finney playing the senior Ed Bloom.
Another delightful surprise is how Tim Burton casts some well known actors to play small but significant supporting roles. I would say that these well known faces had no more than 15 minutes of screen time throughout the film but they were instrumental to the total performance: Jessica Lange, Helena Bonham Carter (Tim's main love in real life), Robert Guillaume, and Danny DeVito. If you have watched HBO's "The Sopranos" then you will also enjoy Steve Buscemi's (Tony Soprano's cousin Tony Blundetto) performance as Norther Winslow (although he has been in 89 films since 1984!). Identical twins, Ada Tai and Arlene Tai are uniquely cast in the scene as entertainers of the Chinese Army! See how Buton uses these twins in the story!
Am I hearing the same "twinkle" music in the background like I heard in "Edward Scissorhands" and "The Nightmare Before Christmas?" Effective in creating the almost fairy tale image.
I'm not going to tell about this film, scene for scene, nor offer insight into how it ends. Rather, you need to tune your cable box to when this feature will be shown in your area or check the local video store.
It's all about the "process" of story telling.
"Once upon a time, there was this man who dreamed he was really a fish....a fish out of water!"