A beautiful ensemble of acting, writing and direction...

Rating: Null/10 (18 January 2004)

..."Big Fish" is cult director Tim Burton's latest film. Unlike most of his other work (except for maybe "Edward Scissorhands") this film has a more happy and fun tone to it. The plot focuses on two stories: in the first (and frame story) William Bloom (Billy Crudup) visits his mother Sandra (Jessica Lange) and estranged father Ed (Albert Finney). Will hasn't seen his dad in years, so he wants to get to know him before the man passes away. Ed agrees, but his stories don't always seem as true or realistic as possible.
In his stories he is portrayed by Ewan McGregor, and we watch him travel the world and meet many interesting people. He meets a lonely giant named Karl (Matthew McGrory), works for a greedy circus ringmaster (Danny DeVito) and runs into a beautiful town called Spectre with inhabitants like would-be-poet Norther Winslow (Steve Buscemi in a delightful role). As he hears these stories over and over again, Will begins to get suspicious that his father has a double life. I wont spoil anything else for you!
The acting, writing and direction is all wonderful. The best performance of the movie (by far) comes from Albert Finney's Old Ed Bloom. The man is jolly and sad, dying and yet he has a childish giddiness to him. The role was perfect for Finney, and he was perfect for the role. McGregor also does quite well (especially with his accent), and, of course, the supporting cast shines - most notably Lange in a tender, beautiful role.
The scriptwriting is creative and clever, a definite nom for Best Adapted Screenplay (and hopefully a win). Tim Burton gives us a new view of himself, not only is he a brilliant horror director but he can also make a touching drama.
So if you're itching to see the Oscar contenders of 2003, see "Big Fish" first, 8.5/10.