Movie Magic

Title: Big Fish (2003)
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Albert Finney, Ewan McGregor, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange




Senior Ed Bloom: People needn't worry so much. It's not my time yet. This is not how I go.
Will Bloom: Really?
Senior Ed Bloom: Truly. I saw it in the eye.
Will Bloom: The old lady by the swamp?
Senior Ed Bloom: She was a *witch*.
Will Bloom: No, she was old and probably senile.
Senior Ed Bloom: I saw my death in that eye, and this isn't how it happens.
Will Bloom: So how does it happen?
Senior Ed Bloom: Surprise ending. Wouldn't want to ruin it for you.

Will Bloom (Billy Crudup) grows up in a small town in Alabama, listening to his father Ed Bloom (Albert Finney) tell the story of his life - a set of fantastic tales filled with adventure and romance. When he grows up, Will is desperate to know the real story. Unable to get his father to give him the facts, Will breaks off relations with him and moves to the city.

Three years later, upon hearing that his father is on his deathbed, Will comes home with his pregnant wife, to comfort his mother and determined to uncover the real story of his father's life. This time, however, Ed finds a more receptive audience in Will's wife, Josephine (Marion Cotillard) and proceeds to tell her the story of his life - the same fantastic story that he has told Will since his childhood.

Young Ed Bloom (Ewan McGregor) is the stereotypical American do-gooder, who embarks on the grand adventure of his life. It's an adventure filled with witches, giants, utopias, golden-haired girls, hardships and sweet victory. In the meantime, Will tries to piece together clues that he finds around the house to find out the true story. The two parallel tracks finally converge in a spectacular ending.

The promo poster says "From the imagination of director Tim Burton", which is an accurate description of the movie. The director's characteristic style is evident throughout - brilliantly crafted sets and precise, well-conceived shots. Some frames are done so well, that they seem to have come right out of paintings. You can even see traces of Sleepy Hollow and Batman when young Ed Bloom walks through the dark woods leading to the town of Spectre and you are reminded of Edward Scissorhands in the depiction of rural life. The visuals are serene - young Ed Bloom fishing in the opening credits, the lovely town of Spectre and the scenic last frame. The director makes brilliant use of soft and hard lighting, perspective and colour throughout the movie - but it's the climax that really blows you away.

Danny Elfman's Oscar-nominated background score is unobtrusively wonderful, creating the right moods to help us appreciate the visuals.

The acting is superb overall, with Albert Finney simply stealing the show as the senior Ed Bloom. Ewan McGregor is also excellent as the young Ed Bloom, with a very well-done Alabama accent (not an easy task for an Scotsman) and just the right expressions of innocence and cheerful good-naturedness. The supporting cast is also pretty good, with the exception of Billy Crudup, who does nothing of note until the end. The women, both young (Alison Lohman and Helena Bonham Carter) and old (Jessica Lange) are beautiful and the cameos from Danny DeVito and Steve Buscemi are enjoyable.

You come out of watching this movie confused, sad and happy - the experience is a tribute to the magic of storytelling.