Big Fish

Tim Burton 2003

I wanted to hate this film; I had heard it was terribly mawkish. To be honest I found it a refreshing change. No epic battle scenes, no buddy movie camaraderie, just the story of a man that strived to add excitement to his own life by…. stretching the truth, and his sons attempt to get to know his father before he dies.

Ewan McGregor and Albert Finney both shine in the role of younger and elder Edward Bloom. Personally though, there’s nothing better than a film where Ewan McGregor gives us one of his cheeky smiles. Burton does lay the sentiment on thick, and doesn't so much tug at the heartstrings but play them like a violin. But so what, most films today aim over the heads of the audience and seem to be an exercise in showing how clever the director is.

Burton aims for the heart and doesn't miss. The only slight let down for me was Billy Crudup as Bloom’s son Will and Marion Cotillard, as Will’s wife. Both actors seemed bland, however as I write this I now realize that, that is exactly what they were meant to be. Their frustrating normality the perfect counter-point to Blooms exaggerated lifestyle. If you don't cry at this film then you have no soul!