Big Fish

Of course Burton did a great job with this. Although Big Fish could easily have ended up as a collection of sentimental and colorfully opulent stories, this film became a beautifully poignant and thought-cohesive work. Edward Bloom is not a psychologically large character, but he is a beautiful symbol of human imagination and how we can build on the world through fantasy. And the whole of Big Fish is actually one big game in which Burton puts the viewer in a position they not only have to believe, but above all to understand why Edward transforms his life into surreal stories. Why Edward is a big fish and why the "truth" of the narrative is irrelevant. Tim Burton recounts the story in his typically picturesque way, not denying the horror elements, but above all not denying his love of the fantasy depicted. The intertwining of imaginative sequences with sequences from the "real" world is done very sensitively, although in some places the film seemed a little unhappily rhythmic and thus lost pace. But the end will make things right – an end that is a final confirmation of how sensitively constructed the film and its idea are. In fact, you have two options: either accept Edward's son's hard-nosed view, or you accept Edward's fantasy. If you choose the latter, you will have a wonderful cinematic experience, which will not formally deny the inspiration of the old masters of European "narrative" film. Given that it has a few weaker spots, I'm leaning towards four stars, but for those honest tears in a beautiful finale, I can't really help but... (03/24/2004)

One big and incredible story pieced together from many smaller, more incredible stories to form a truly perfect whole. Tim Burton knows how to captivate audiences, how to make them sit in front of the screen and watch his films "with their mouths open". This is a truly great film full of great actors, the most notable of which are Helena Bonham Carter, Albert Finney and Jessica Lange. As I said, this film managed to both captivate and move me. (07/13/2009)

Tim Burton is truly a great storyteller, but this film lacks substance. It has beautifully stitched together images full of colors and inventive directorial ideas that don't provide a deeper meaning or the desire to uncover hidden references, let alone read between the lines. (12/11/2004)

Absolutely grounding narrative and at the same time Burton's life's work. Edward Bloom will guide you through life, love, fantasy, and family atmosphere so easily that you will start believing every word he says. However, if you do not let yourself be enticed and led, you will experience bitter disappointment. (12/24/2004)

This is simply one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen. From the first time I saw it, I was captivated by the beautiful fantasy, the kindness of the story, and the peculiarity of the individual characters. Big Fish is something that perfectly resonates with me considering its nature and the belief that truth has many forms, even those where it fundamentally isn't truth. Simply beautiful. (03/17/2015)