Wouldn't have believed it, but this one reeled me in!

Rating: 10/10 (10 January 2004)

Like DUETS, which many reviewers called a "road comedy," not a tragic homage to music's transforming power, BIG FISH is being called a fable and a lot of other nonsensical things.
"Big Fish" in a little pond called Ashton. This was a father-son reconciliation story told in parables (golly, am I sounding biblical?). With wit, humor, charm and suspense, Tim Burton made me a believer as question after question was posed - what is the truth about who we are? If we dramatize and enlarge stories, is our essence forever lost in them or can we, with desire and patience, at last discern who we are and who the people we love are, understand and be understood.
My bet was that I wasn't going to like this movie. Tim Burton's work has usually had too dark an edge for me. Even here we're dealing with death and understanding our lives and their meanings. But Tim Burton hit every mark for me - acting,story, direction, et al. Tears began rolling down my cheeks as the son takes over the telling of his father's last story, finally understanding that he really does know and love his father. The son completes his father's death story/image for him in a beautiful reconciliation sequence, and life continues.
Aint' that the truth!