Director: Tim Buron
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney and Billy Crudup
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have made films which audiences treasure like Ewan McGregor. Since rise to stardom in the 1990’s, McGregor has become an icon. Whether it’s being great nightclub singers, traumatized authors or drug users, McGregor has portrayed many powerful characters. Arguably, McGregor’s strength as an actor is his strong commitment. He is one of those actors that has always poured his heart and soul into every role. McGregor has seldom been afraid of taking risks in his career playing characters that aren’t often likeable. Through his abilities to depict larger than life characters viewers can relate to, McGregor has become a beloved icon audiences value. An actor with a strong commitment to his craft, McGregor has become a bold icon in entertainment. A British icon, McGregor has crafted many memorable movies which audiences cherish. Throughout a lasting career, McGregor has produced many memorable movies with strong themes which are definitely worth talking about without any single doubt.
I’m a huge fan of McGregor and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Big Fish” is my favourite. Since its release in 2003, Tim Burton’s film has become an iconic classic. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest movies ever made about fatherhood. At the centre of it all is a fantastic performance by Ewan McGregor, who plays a father that struggles to maintain relationships with a son that faces disaster. Ultimately, what makes “Big Fish” a fantastic masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about fatherhood that will definitely resonate with everyone. Unlike most films produced by Tim Burton, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. A riveting masterpiece about fatherhood, there are several strong reasons why “Big Fish” is a commemorated movie that is worth seeing.
“Big Fish” tells the story of a son that seeks to understand a father which he has grown up to cherish. Ewan McGregor portrays Ed Bloom, a caring father that seeks to tell his son colourful stories. Bloom has always had an aptitude for telling fantastical stories about his life. Bloom has always excelled at telling stories about his fantastical adventure. However, Edward’s life forever changes when he struggles to keep a healthy relationship with his close son Will. Will (Billy Crudup) is a frustrated son struggling to find appreciation for his father. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Will begins to wonder whether he can ever mend a broken relationship with his father. Facing a dilemma, Will questions whether it’s possible for him to ever understand his father in America. Faced with a tense situation, Will wonders whether he will ever get to know a father causing tension.
Tim Burton is a newcomer towards the stories of fatherhood. Before he directed “Big Fish”, Burton has never made a movie about fathers before. His award-winning film “Edward Scissorhands” offered an engaging depiction of boys born with scissors as hands facing disabilities. A fantastic fantasy filmmaker, Buton has often excelled at making movies with his gothic style. With “Big Fish”, however, the director has made his first coming of age drams. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the barriers faced by children sharing traumatic relationships with fathers but he succeeded. Using bold cinematography: Burton captures a young man seeking to discover his identity. Burton effectively uses montages to capture a young man reflecting on his father’s personal life. For instance, montages elevate the opening scene. During this unforgettable scene, Willy recounts memories of his father before he grew up. One appreciates montages which capture the tensions which children facing. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Baz Luhrmann’s “Moulin Rouge” suggested, montages elevate legendary musicals about nightclubs. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through stunning visuals,. Burton captures the lives of authors which face trauma.
Another commendable aspect of “Big Fish” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is serenely well-made. Burton effectively uses changes in actors to showcase the evolution of a father growing up over several years. For instance, changes in actors enhances the flashback scene. Evoking Robert Zemeckis’ “Forrest Gump”, Burton effectively uses the During this unforgettable scene, a younger Ed Bloom recounts his sad memories of growing up in Alabama. One appreciates production capturing tension that fathers are facing. The changes in actors are tricky techniques to use in movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely this movie. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Danny Elfman’s music is key to the movie’s success. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing the hardships that fathers are facing. Through phenomenal production-design, Burton captures the lives of conflicted fathers which experience a sad decline.
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “Big Fish” is a captivating classic which is worth seeing. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses voice-over narration to capture the lives of fathers that experience tension. Throughout the movie, Will recalls joyful memories of his father that shaped his identity through narration. Inspired with Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption”, Burton effectively uses narration capturing the lives of fathers that face tension. For instance, narration elevates the father son scene. During this unforgettable scene, Will recounts his sad memories of his doomed relationship with his father that has grown estranged. One admires voice over narration capturing the lives of grim fathers experiencing tension. Using powerful voice over narration. Burton created a strong character that audiences can easily relate to: Narration is a tricky technique to use in films. As Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas” suggested, voice over narration elevates classic gangster movies. Nevertheless, it works extremely well in this movie. Through captivating storytelling, Burton captures the tensions that fathers are facing.
One appreciates phenomenal performances.
Ewan McGregor delivers one of his greatest performances as Ed Bloom. McGregor first achieved recognition for playing destructive drug users in addiction dramas. With “Big Fish”, however, he took ok his most complex role. It isn’t easy to embody personality of a young man which seeks to mend his broken relationships with his son but McGregor pulled it off successfully. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charming and emotional in his most commemorated role. McGregor has always had an aptitude playing romantic heroes in his career, and “Big Fish” showcased his strengths as an actor. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures angst, desperation and resentments of a young man seeking to mend broken bonds with his son. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actors working in the industry today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning show as for Ewan McGregor, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Albert Finney is fantastic, capturing the larger than life personality of an aging senior reflecting on his adventurous life that shaped his identity. Billy Crudup is brilliant, capturing the turmoil of a son struggling to make sense of his father that he has never valued highly. Finally, Danny DeVito merits appreciation. As an energetic circus performer, he brings hilarious comical relief to the movie.
Finally, “Big Fish” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing goals fathers seek to accomplish. Unlike most Tim Burton movies targeted towards a specific audience, the film tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including angst, fatherhood and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to familiar with Tim Burton’s movies to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about roles fathers play in shaping destinies of children which will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Big Fish” is one of those rare commemorated films everyone will adore.
Fans of Ewan McGregor would appreciate “Big Fish” and so will movie-goers seeking heartfelt entertainment. A captivating classic, it honours an actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 25 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about frustrated sons seeking to mend broken relationships with fathers whose big fish stories are compelling, it’s a captivating reminder about a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for his abilities to portray larger-than-life characters in engaging movies which are definitely without a single doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 