storytelling at its best

Rating: Null/10 (6 August 2011)

Rating: 9/10
Directed by Tim Burton, Big fish revolves around a dying father, Edward Bloom, and son, Will Bloom, who tries to learn more about his father by putting together pieces of myths and stories he has been telling him from the day Will was born. Will Bloom has a rocky relationship with his dying father as he believes his father has been telling lies all his life. By reliving stories and myths Edward Bloom, told about his life, Will learns more about his father and discovers who he really is.
Big Fish is storytelling in all forms and aspects at its best: the cinematography, sound effects, special effects, the story itself, acting, and directing. Everything is beautifully put together which in the end produces one of the greatest piece of arts ever put on screen.
The acting in this film is spectacular. No one stands out in particular as this is an ensemble piece or work. Everyone brings their respective roles to life with perfection: including Ewan McGregor as the young ambitious Ed Bloom who is determined to do anything in life. Albert Finney as the old Ed Bloom who has a special talent of telling stories, Billy Crudup as Will Bloom who wants to get to know his father, Jessica Lange and Alison Lohman as Ed's soulmate. Other great performances include Helena Bonham Carter, Marion Cotillard, and Matthew McGrory.
As I said, this film is an ensemble piece of work and it wouldn't have worked if anyone in the cast doesn't deliver. Therefore, I feel like it is my responsibility to mention them all. And it doesn't end here. I believe everyone on this project deserves recognition. The writers of this film including Daniel Wallace (novel), John August (screenplay) did such a great job that I was not once bored while watching the film. And the beautiful direction of Tim Burton only made this film better.
Big Fish is divided into two main sections. One is the story that the dying Ed Bloom told about his life. And the other is the reality where Ed is dying, and Will wants to mend his relationship with his father. These two realities balance out so well that I was never bored with either one of them. I was always curious what's going to happen to the old and young Ed Bloom next. And seeing those two realities connect each other is just so fascinating. Kudos to the exceptional work the writers did in this film. It truly is beautiful.
I believe that every film has a message it is trying to send whether intentionally or not. And I'm a sucker for this kind of thing. Big Fish sends out a touching, beautiful, and meaningful message about life. That life is as boring as the people living it. If you enjoy life, you will make ordinary things extraordinary. Life is what you make of it. It will surely leave people with a smile on their face as it did on mine. You will have such a good feeling towards life in general. You will want to just get out there like Ed did and live life the way you've always wanted.
I had no problem with this film. Everything is perfect. The acting, writing, directing, score, special effects. It's beautiful. Everything is masterfully put together. I had a lot of fun with this film. I laughed a couple of times. And I cried a couple of times. It surely is one of the best films of the 2000's. Please check this film out if you haven't already.