Big Fish (2003)
It's hard to say why "Big Fish" is
merely good while never reaching the level of the
colorful masterpiece it so desperately wants to be.
Perhaps it is because the "theme," the main idea of
the film, is a cliche that we've seen explored in
a million movies and TV shows. Maybe it is because
Tim Burton is not quirky and dark enough as we'd like
him to be here. Maybe it's Ewan McGregor's ubiquitous
cheese- eating smile that began to wear thin five
minutes into his earlier 2003 film, "Down with Love."
Maybe it's a thousand little things.
Burton has great intentions here
and does infuse the film with much of his own creative
and goofy spirit but it just seems like a bunch of
unconnected ideas that never really gel into a cohesive
whole. There are giants, midgets (well, Danny De Vito
anyway), witches, poets, sweater girls, circus folk
and small town platitudes that seek to give awe to
the film, to infuse it with a spirit of wonder. But
when all is said and done these are trite and contrived
stereotypes really, and ones that we've seen used
better in a handful of other films.
Based on a novel by Daniel Wallace
that must be joyous and sentimental reading, the film
comes across as far too frothy and far too light-hearted.
If Burton was going for frothy and light, we wish
he would have gassed the set with Nitrous Oxide first.
The film revolves around Billy Crudup
and sadly, he spends far too much time in the film
seeming dull and despondent before his conspicuous
character arc twists where it is obviously going to
twist. Crudup is supported by Albert Finney and McGregor
who are both known to be good actors but here the
two consummate actors have fallen into the easily
accessible traps inherent in the script. Finney becomes
the bombastic yet loveable fantasist and McGregor
becomes, well - remains, a guy who smiles like the
Cheshire cat 24/7. I've heard of being so happy you
could shit but McGregor actually looks happy to be
painfully constipated throughout the film. The fact
that he gave almost the exact same performance in
"Down with Love" begins to make his talent look strangely
suspect. Apparently this is McGregor's idea of what
charming looks like.
Still, "Big Fish" is cute enough
and fun enough to be easily watchable. It's hard not
to like Finney, McGregor, the band of circus folks,
and co-stars Jessica Lange and Steve Buscemi (in his
cutest role since "Ghost World). While the film is
pure innocuous pabulum and flashpowder, it is nonetheless
enjoyable. Still, "Big Fish" is more of a sorbee than
a main course.
Note:
Also with Matthew McGrory, Helena
Bonham Carter, Loudon Wainwright, Robert Guillaume,
Missi Pyle and Alison Lohman. With a cameo by Billy
Redden, reprising his banjo playing from "Deliverance."
Score by Danny Elfman. With period
songs by Bing Crosby, Elvis, Buddy Holly, Canned Heat
and The Vogues among others. End credits song is by
Pearl Jam.
Nominated for several Golden Globes.
At one time Steven Spielberg was
attached to direct.
Viewed at the AMC Barton Creek Theater
in December 2003
