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Movie: Big Fish
Stories, stories are meant to be told. Some spoken, some written, some seen, no matter how they are passes on, stories are there to be heard. Not everyone likes the same stories, and people like stories for different reasons. Without stories, though, where would we be today? Without our fantasy how would we know what reality was? Big Fish reminds us that we need the fiction with the fact, a factional reality as it were.
This movie is larger than life, and truly, beyond mere words that I can express. From the moment the film starts, right up until the moment it ends, this movie grabs your soul and refuses to let go. Maybe it is because I was raised by a storyteller and am now a storyteller, but this movie touched me in a way unlike any other movie has. And that is a beautiful thing. Needless to say, I was not able to write this until I shared the movie with my father.
In the opening montage, we are greeted with the first of many stories, and are then given a taste of what the flavor of this movie is to be. In the oral tradition of story telling, the truth is out there for all to see throughout this film, but like any good tale, the lines have become a bit hazy and more enjoyable. Edward Bloom, Eddie to his friends and the main character of the story, is a man who never saw the lines. Keeping in mind though, that all myth comes from fact, this is one of the greatest stories ever told.
In trying not to spoil one tender moment of this piece, the story is something that has to be imagined to be believed. The life and times of Eddie Bloom are not only quite amusing, but deeply touching as well. The trials of his life, as well as the tribulations of his love, would make anyone jealous to the life this person has. It is a story that will make any son go back, and re-examine his love for his father. In doing so, each father will be extremely thankful this has come around.
All three of the actors portraying Eddie were totally in synch with each other, from the child actor, to Ewan McGregor, all the way up to the true star of the film, Albert Finney. There is just something about his charm that is unmatched anywhere else, and every time he starts on one of his stories, you genuinely do not want to go anywhere. He just has this great tone and meter to his voice that just invites you in for a piece of pie, and of course it would be rude of you to say no.
On a technical aspect, the movie was truly astounding as well, with all of its vibrant colors and imagery. The cinematography department really worked for this magic to happen. Sometime it felt like we were looking at drawings right out of a book of tall tales. The soundtrack is something that just seems perfect. Combined with Danny Elfman’s score, it is guaranteed to grab the emotion right when it is needed. Eddie Vedder’s closing song, Man of the Hour, is something just all too perfect to cap it all.
My top hat is truly off to Tim Burton. It has been awhile since we have seen anything of this magnitude from this brilliant director, and there is nothing else on his resume that tastes as sweet as this one. It might not have all the dark undertones that we are used to with a Burton film, but rather this time he brings the opposite, touching on the light in a brilliant story book way. Every single aspect of this movie swells together and lies back down with pure perfection.
The dvd itself comes with its fair share of extras. A good number of vignettes lays within for the viewer. They all feel the same and on the whole, generally don’t reveal too much about the innards of the movie. Whereas the commentary is something quite fun to listen to, with Tim Burton giving us some fun facts about the film. The audio mix stays faithful to the theatrical release with a Dolby Digital 5.1. The packaging itself is quite beautiful. While it comes with no insert, the artwork and the layout will rarely be rivaled. Plus, the menu itself is quite relaxing just to sit back and watch the seasons change. All in all, the dvd does not add too much to the viewing experience or the hardcore fan. Regardless, this is a film worth owning!
Click here for the Official Movie website
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