Big visuals and big heart

Rating: Null/10 (24 May 2004)

Throughout his life, Edward Bloom (Ewan McGregor) has always been a man of big appetites, enormous passions and tall tales. In his later years,(Albert Finney) however, he remains a mystery to his son, William (Billy Crudup). Now, sitting by his father's deathbed, Will is forced to get to know the real man. By piecing together a true picture of his father from flashbacks of Edward's amazing adventures, he is finally able to understand the great man that his father was. Big Fish is a movie that is as dazzling to watch as it is moving emotionally. I love how it's slightly exaggerated in certain parts and the humour is very subtle. The cinematography is fantastic, the scene when Sandra opens her window and sees Edward standing in a field of daffodils planted there just for her is just incredible. The film has a great cast of actors. Ewan McGregor is probably the best thing in the film, not just because he's basically the life of the story, but the guy can anything, any role he takes on he shines. Albert Finney is also pretty good, I love the scene when he tells Josephine about how he and Sandra met, how he sort of flirts with her at the beginning. I must admit that I'm not the biggest Tim Burton fan, although I do watch his films, most of them anyway. I think Big Fish is one of his best, it's got a bit of everything. Emotion, humour and of course the Tim Burton touch with the surreal visuals. Overall, Big Fish is one-hell-of-a good movie.