A charming & witty emotional 'fishing trip'

Rating: 10/10 (4 February 2004)

Big Fish is a very clever, but not at all pretentious story-telling film. The reviewers that have not enjoyed or understood it reflect a need to be spoon-fed a story without room for interpreting & relating to it emotionally. How sad for those writers, and the potential audiences who have therefore passed up this wonderful film.
Hopefully Mr. Burton & other film-makers will not be deterred by the few who prefer not to think while experiencing a film, because this style is sorely missed by most of the industry & audience.
Probably not his tour-de-force masterpiece, nonetheless a beautifully made film with very touching and moving characters. The masterpiece itself is yet to come, but it is great fun to enjoy the results of the 'learning curve.' His touch is indeed unmistakable throughout this journey, yet more subtle than blatant here.
Anyone who doesn't get at least a bit choked up by the end of this story needs to have their pulse checked!