Forrest Gump in fantasy land - spoilers

Rating: 10/10 (9 November 2003)

Viewing a Tim Burton film comes with a set of expectations. After such visually stunning films as Bettlejuice, Sleepy Hollow and Pee-wee's Big Adventure, one can be sure that the price of admission will bring awkward camera angels, strangely colored film sets and, usually, a cast of characters as weird as anything this side of Twin Peaks. Enter Big Fish, Burton's 2003 theatrical entry that that comes with a tag line `An adventure as big as life itself'. Screened for the first time ever in Toronto, Canada, the audience clapped ecstatically when we were told of the film we were about to view, but the elation paled in comparison to the response of those in attendance at the conclusion of the film. To put in simply, this is the best film Tim Burton has ever put on screen. In fact, I'll be anxiously waiting in the next couple of months to see if Burton will get his just reward and be garnished with Oscar nominations for Best Director and even Best Film.
The story surrounds the final days of Edward Bloom (played by Albert Finney and Ewan McGregor as both the old and young Bloom respectively), and the strained relationship he has with his son, William, played with remarkable ease by Billy Crudup. William had not spoken to his father for three years, the result of growing animosity at the tales his father used to pass as truth to family and friends. But soon, his father's cancer brings William to his bedside and the stories of Edward's youth are told one more time.
There are stories about a giant that terrorized a town and then is lead to the circus. A story about two twins who help Edward escape China during World War II. A story about a witch with a glass eye that can tell a man's fate and a story about falling in love and doing anything to find the woman of your dreams. There are countless more stories, but you can catch them in the trailers, so I won't waste your time here. Besides, the more you look into the film the better off you are. It's a beautiful ensemble piece that tugs at your heart strings (sorry for being sappy) while telling a remarkable story about the life of a man who believes he is too big for his small town and sets out on an adventure of a lifetime.
The movie reminded me of Forrest Gump set in a fantasy world of endless possibilities and wonderment. Even the music style was similar to Gump's in that as the decades changed through the stories, so did the soundtrack. We would hear Elvis during wartime, and the Allman Brothers in the 70's.
Burton regular Danny Elfman is back scoring the film, but shows a restraint never heard before in this director's filmography. All work magically enhancing the visual style of production designer Dennis Gassner (Road to Perdition, Miller's Crossing).
It's been a while since Burton brought to the screen a story of such love and affection and to do so, he surrounded himself with old friends. Danny DeVito (Batman Returns) plays Amos a half man half wolf circus ringleader and Helena Bonham Carter (Planet of the Apes) plays Jenny is woman from a paradise city who longs to love Edward. Look closely and you will also enjoy Jessica Lange, Steve Buscemi and Robert Guillaume. But through all its star power, it is a quirky giant named Karl, played by Matthew McGrory, that steals every scene he is in. Not since the towering impression that Andre the Giant had in The Princess Bride, has there been such a loveable, awkward character.
The conclusion of the film can be seen miles before it arrives, but it is no less powerful. William is at his father's bedside when he passes away, but not before he himself finally comes to believe and finish the fantasy with a story of his own making. The scene where Edward is brought to the riverside to the cheers of all the mystical characters we are introduced to along his travels, put a lump into many of the audiences' throats and even I pretended to wipe a yawn tear from my cheek. Maybe it just caught us by surprise since we are not used to seeing a Burton film have such warmth and heart, but nonetheless, Burton moved us like an earthquake of devastating proportions.
For you true Burtonians, don't worry. For all the mush there is also more humor than his last ten films combined. In fact, I noticed about an hour in that my cheeks were hurting from the constant perma-smile brought through the many fun characters and situations throughout Edward's life story.
I don't know what kind of an audience Big Fish might reel in. Those who like love stories, might be turned off by the wacky visual styles, and those that love Burton's way of turning the ordinary into the extraordinary, might be reserved due to its overwhelming tug at the heartstrings. However, don't be fooled by the trailers, and don't be turned off by a director trying to forget his last film. Big Fish is a marvel and out of the 200 plus films I have had the pleasure of viewing this year, ranks above the rest.