Big Fish (2003) – 8/10 – Fantastic Story of a Dreamer who sees his World through his Tales
The premise of this film is difficult to describe without experiencing it. A journalist named Will Bloom is told his father, Ed, is dying after a lost battle against cancer. Three years earlier, the two had a dispute and stopped talking to one another over it. Will’s pregnant wife convinced him to return home together to spend whatever time his father had left. Ed had always told fantastic stories of himself throughout his life where fact and fable intertwined. Will had never known who his father was outside of his tales, which was the frustration that drove him away. In search of the truth in the last days of Ed’s life, Will finds a connection that shatters how he sees his father. It also has a profound impact on how he raises his own son.
The acting, cinematography, and creative direction all stood out to me. ‘Big Fish’ is a simple but inspiring film with stories of a massive catfish, giant, storybook romance, bank robbery, circus, werewolf, and Siamese twin. Behind each tale lies the real Ed Bloom and his love for storytelling. The stories use metaphors, symbolism, and themes that always have a link to his real life. Each of his stories touched those he met on his life’s journey. If we think about it, everyday regular life for the average person isn’t typically all that colorful. What makes our lives colorful is dreams, imagination, creativity, and escaping into stories beyond. That is what we stay alive for.
Would I recommend this? Yes. Tim Burton’s films are always fantastic, colorful, and touching. This was no different.
