"Big Fish" in a little pond

Rating: Null/10 (31 December 2003)

"Big Fish" seems to be a departure from Tim Burton's usual fantasy fare. Of course, there are fantasy elements especially in the flashback sequences that illustrate the tall tales told by Ed Bloom (Albert Finney playing the old Ed and Ewan McGregor portraying the young Ed Bloom), but the story deals more with how one views life and not telling bold face lies to bolster one's image. The latter is the thinking of Ed's estranged son (Billy Crudup) who returns after 3 years to reconcile with his ailing father and find out who the real Ed Bloom is but finds himself hearing more "exaggerated" tales. The film is sad but at the same time life affirming. The son finds it difficult to understand his Dad's view of life until speaking with some of those whose lives had been touched by the man. The fantasy sequences are well done and the acting is superb. Ewan McGregor plays a likeable younger version of Ed Bloom and Alison Lohman is easily believable as a youthful version of a still youthful Jessica Lange as Ed's wife. The movie plays out as a fairy tale but also deals with the strained father/son relationship and the realization that one's perspective on life can make it interesting rather than mundane. Nice departure for Tim Burton and fine performances by the whole cast.