Official Movie Website Theatrical Release 12/10/03 Home Video 4/27/04 MPAA Rating Rated PG-13 for a fight scene, some images of nudity and a suggestive reference. Running Time 2 hours 5 minutes Directed by Tim Burton Cast Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, Alison Lohman, Helena Bonham Carter, Robert Guillaume, Steve Buscemi, Danny DeVito, Marion Cotillard, Matthew McGrory, Loudon Wainwright Studio Columbia Pictures |
BIG FISH
No one can tell a "fish story" like Edward Bloom (Albert
Finney). In fact he's so good at impromptu
prevarication and spinning tall tales that it's difficult to
distinguish an inflated fact from pure fiction. Time is
running out, and son, William (Billy Crudup), would like
to know the truth about his dad. What results is a
collage of a life veiled by secrecy and illusion, but with
an exciting element of truth sprinkled here and there.
Directed by Tim Burton, it is a most interesting journey
into a very full life, even if some of it is the product of
Edward Bloom's vivid imagination. Just how much fact
is mixed in with the fiction? Wait and see.
As the story takes us back and forth through time, the
young Edward Bloom (Ewan McGregor) leads a life of
excitement and adventure that would make the
adventures of Paul Bunyan and Marco Polo seem
boring. Oddly enough, the one person who is
unimpressed with his epic tale is his son. Wife, Sandra
(Jessica Lange), is a faithful listener right up to the
end. And bringing father and son together before it's
too late, her only goal.
Finney). In fact he's so good at impromptu
prevarication and spinning tall tales that it's difficult to
distinguish an inflated fact from pure fiction. Time is
running out, and son, William (Billy Crudup), would like
to know the truth about his dad. What results is a
collage of a life veiled by secrecy and illusion, but with
an exciting element of truth sprinkled here and there.
Directed by Tim Burton, it is a most interesting journey
into a very full life, even if some of it is the product of
Edward Bloom's vivid imagination. Just how much fact
is mixed in with the fiction? Wait and see.
As the story takes us back and forth through time, the
young Edward Bloom (Ewan McGregor) leads a life of
excitement and adventure that would make the
adventures of Paul Bunyan and Marco Polo seem
boring. Oddly enough, the one person who is
unimpressed with his epic tale is his son. Wife, Sandra
(Jessica Lange), is a faithful listener right up to the
end. And bringing father and son together before it's
too late, her only goal.
Brenda's Comments
William Bloom is filled with frustration and
anger, and actor Billy Crudup does a great
job with the role. At times, he plays the bad
guy who refuses to buy into an old man's
fantasies. But watch as he manages to lead
his character in other directions. I, too,
enjoyed the storybook sets, make-up and
costumes. The "big fish" references are
deliberately there to reinforce the idea and
give the viewer several different
dimensions of the title. A good escape film.
William Bloom is filled with frustration and
anger, and actor Billy Crudup does a great
job with the role. At times, he plays the bad
guy who refuses to buy into an old man's
fantasies. But watch as he manages to lead
his character in other directions. I, too,
enjoyed the storybook sets, make-up and
costumes. The "big fish" references are
deliberately there to reinforce the idea and
give the viewer several different
dimensions of the title. A good escape film.
Mary's Comments
The style and pace of the stories as they
unfold are very comfortable. A wonderful
teller of tales, Edward Bloom quickly
captures our attention. Even when the tales
are a bit too tall, we want to believe him
because he is so captivating. Veteran
actors, Finney and Lange are wonderful as
a devoted couple who have been in love for
many decades. The sets of the stories are
interesting and add to the make-believe
quality of the narration. Very entertaining.
The style and pace of the stories as they
unfold are very comfortable. A wonderful
teller of tales, Edward Bloom quickly
captures our attention. Even when the tales
are a bit too tall, we want to believe him
because he is so captivating. Veteran
actors, Finney and Lange are wonderful as
a devoted couple who have been in love for
many decades. The sets of the stories are
interesting and add to the make-believe
quality of the narration. Very entertaining.
© 2003 St. Louis Movie Review Weekly. All rights reserved, except where indicated.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
| ST. LOUIS MOVIE REVIEW WEEKLY Publishers: Brenda S. Ladd & Mary K. Morgan |
DVD Details
Disc Specs
Languages: English, French
Subtitles: English, French
Running Time: 2 hrs. 5 mins.
Number of Discs: 1
Features:
Bonus Features:
• Tim Burton Audio Commentary
• The Characters Journey
Edward Bloom at Large
Amos at the Circus
Fathers and Sons
• The Filmmakers' Path
Tim Burton: Storyteller
A Fairytale World
Creature Features
The Author's Journey
• The Finer Points - A Tim Burton
Trivia Quiz
• Columbia Pictures Preview
Trailers
Languages: English, French
Subtitles: English, French
Running Time: 2 hrs. 5 mins.
Number of Discs: 1
Features:
Bonus Features:
• Tim Burton Audio Commentary
• The Characters Journey
Edward Bloom at Large
Amos at the Circus
Fathers and Sons
• The Filmmakers' Path
Tim Burton: Storyteller
A Fairytale World
Creature Features
The Author's Journey
• The Finer Points - A Tim Burton
Trivia Quiz
• Columbia Pictures Preview
Trailers