Mondo bizarro!

Rating: Null/10 (1 February 2004)

If ever a film deserved that catch phrase, as a description, it is this one. *Warning: one or two spoilers ahead (I think).* Tim Burton has surpassed himself with this audiovisual gem. The FX-laden sequences, dramatizing Ed Bloom's embellished anecdotes, rival the ones in "Secondhand Lions." And, Albert Finney is brilliantly convincing as the elderly Ed. He's still a silver-tongued storyteller. But, the silver is rapidly tarnishing due to his terminal illness. Equally convincing is Billy Crudup as his estranged son, Will. In the process of reconciling with Ed, before it's too late, he finds out the two of them have more similarities than differences. Jessica Lange is just-plain great as the older-but-elegantly-beautiful Sandra. And, I hope to see both Marie Cotillard and the Tai Twins in more American movies. Theatrical releases, at that! 4.5 stars