"Big Fish'' (2003 movie)- Review

Directed by: Tim Burton
Released: 2003
Country: United States

Genres: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy

Cast: Albert Finney, Ewan McGregor, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, Helena Bonham Carter, Marion Cotillard, Danny DeVito, Steve Buscemi, David Denman, Deep Roy, Ada Tai, Arlene Tai, Matthew McGrory

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Review

I had the idea that ''Big Fish'' would be good before I saw it, as all of Tim Burton's movies have impressed me more or less. But I didn't had the slightest idea that it would be so good. In fact, it's an excellent movie, and certainly among the best movies that Tim Burton has directed. Capable of bringing smile and tears at the same time, and having an amazing story and screenplay with an extremely awesome and touching ending, this film will always remain memorable.

''Big Fish'' is completely unpredictable. It is a beautiful film directed by Tim Burton, and it is truly so very impressive. It impressed me more than ''Edward Scissorhands'' did.

Will Bloom is a man who, as a child, had been amazed by the amazing bedtime stories his father, Edward used to tell him. Those stories had been about the adventures of Edward as a young man. One of the most prominent of his stories was how he caught a big fish the day Will was born. Now Will has grown up, and thinks his father's stories are mostly lies, thinking his father had hardly told anything true to him. Nevertheless, the people who hear the stories love them.

On his wedding day, Will gets angry at his father for repeating the story he thinks imaginary, and they stop talking. Three years later, Will comes to learn that his father is dying. He and his wife Josephine immediately go to his parent's home.

Will tries to learn much more about his father's life. Through a series of flashbacks, we see the charming adventures of Edward as a young man.

Albert Finney and Ewan McGregor bring the character of Edward Bloom to life. While the adventures of the character are fascinating and make the film interesting, the two actors, playing the older and younger versions of Edward Bloom, contribute to make the character remarkable. Edward Bloom, as a young man, had been adventure-loving and not being afraid to take risks. While he did good at both sports and science, he even confronted a giant named Carl who was being misunderstood by the people of the town. Together, Edward and Carl left the town. And after leaving the town the real big adventures of Edward's life had started.

As the young man who tries to learn more about his father's life, trying to understand more, Billy Crudup is simply fascinating. In supporting roles, Marion Cotillard plays William's wife Josephine. Jessica Lange and and Alison Lohman play the older and younger versions of Sandra Bloom, the wife of Will. Matthew McGrory is present as Carl, a giant. Danny DeVito plays Amos Callaway, who is a circus ringmaster, and employs Edward and in return, tells him trivial facts about the girl he has fallen in love with. Deep Roy is present as the clown of the circus.

A character whom I found very remarkable was Jenny, a girl whom Edward first had met when he visited Spectre for the first time and whom he befriended. Hailey Anne Nelson played Jenny as a child, and the young and old versions of Jenny are played by Helena Bonham Carter. I liked this character ever since she was introduced as a little girl. A very touching scene of the film was when Edward was leaving Spectre, the little Jenny ran to him and said, ''Promise me you'll come back.'' Such a cute and touching scene!

Certainly the most beautiful scenes in the film are some of the last scenes, but however, another scene which I found very beautiful was when Sandra sees Edward standing between the daffodils, her favorite flower. Other cute scenes are plenty. The first time Edward comes to Spectre, he notices that it is a beautiful green place, and all the scenes where it is shown Edward's first visit to Spectre are simply marvelous.

I found touches of ''Forrest Gump'' in this movie. But ''Big Fish'' impressed me much more than ''Forrest Gump'' did. I agree that ''Forrest Gump'' is a very good, sweet film, but not as beautiful and wonderful as ''Big Fish''.

With occasional touches of humor, ''Big Fish'' is a truly beautiful and wonderful movie, and certainly among the best films directed by the brilliant Tim Burton. It may bring smile and tears at the same time. And of course, it touched me and impressed me. Watch it, it's so very beautiful!

4.5 out of 5!