Big Fish is supposed to be Tim Burton's masterpiece, well at according to the front cover anyways. While personally I think that honor remains with Beetlejuice, Big Fish is a wonderful lesson on what's really important in life mixed with the visual style of one of the most unique director's of our generation.
Big Fish stars Billy Crudup as William Bloom, a new father coming to terms with the impending death of his own father, Edward Bloom, who's dying of cancer. Storytelling and being away from the home on work trips strained the relationship between the two men to the point where William believes his father has never been truthful with him.
The film shows this gap in relations via flashbacks told by Edward or someone else about his life. Edward is portrayed at several stages in his life by various actors including Mr. Obi-Wan Kenobe (Ewan McGregor) himself.
Burton's contribution to this film is both apparant and stunning. The over the top tale of Edward Bloom is easily enhanced by Burton's visual style and eclectic cast of characters. Longtime musical callabortor Danny Elfman brings in a whimsical feel that matches these "big fish" stories.
The supporting cast bring small pockets of joy to the film with Danny Devito ringing in as a circus master, Matthew McGrory protraying a massive giant, Robert Guillaume as charming Dr. Bennett, Steve Buscemi as a poet slash bank robber slash wall street tycoon and Missi Pyle showing an almost erie smalltown charm to the film. And we can't forget Ed's wife and Will's mom Jessica Lange as Sandra Bloom.
Truths are interspersed with the kind of colorful exaggeration that make stories bigger than life. The lesson in the end is that life isn't black and white, it's about the experiences we have and how we feel about them. It's a wonderful story melded perfectly with visual excellence and musical whim.
The Disc:
Boy does Burton have a way with film. The DVD is brought home in one of the most stunning transfers of the year. The 1.85:1 widescreen anamorphic transfer easily captures the vividness of this film's style. Equally stunning is the soundtrack which is clear, discrete and provides plenty of gusto through a home theater system.
Extras on the disc begin with Commentary by Tim Burton. I love hearing this man talk and really enjoyed the enthusiasm he had for directing such a warm and charming story. There's nothing dark or devious here, just lots of love.
Next up is a selection for a series of features. These four features(Tim Burton: Storyteller - A look at the director's process;
A Fairytale World - Tim Burton and cast discuss the importance of myths and fairytales;
Creature Features - The magic of Stan Winston studios;
The Author's Journey - Daniel Wallace's story from page to screen) bring forth short but detailed expose on each of the various topics. I, for one, truly enjoyed seeing how Stan Winston's studio made the various effects for the film. Burton also does a nice job of reminding us all while embellishing the truth every once and a while is important.
Next up is a series of features on the characters in the story. Edward Bloom at Large - Takes a look at the larger-than-life world of Edward Bloom;
Amos at the Circus - Danny DeVito takes viewers through the Calloway Circus;
Fathers and Sons - Examines the father and son dynamic, do for the characters what the above did for the making of the film. Especially fun to watch is Danny Devito, who obviously enjoyed making this film.
Finally the disc offers up some trailers and an interactive quiz while releases a bonus clip when successfully completed.
bottom line:
A great film, one worthy of father's day present giving, and quite possibly the second best Burton film ever. There's plenty of magic here without the gloom and doom.
4 out of 5
By - Brian Gray
