Big Fish
Tim Burton’s quirky and imaginative side shines through all of his films, but especially in this one. Big Fish, the tale of a son trying to figure out the truth about his father’s life, when his father seems to make up creative and exciting fabrications about his journeys instead. Big Fish being a non-animated film, this setting is reality based, and flashes back through his father’s embellished stories. This film touches on the torn relationship between father and son, as well as many allegories along the way.
The Mise-en-Scene played a huge role in keeping the audience drawn. The lighting in each scene set everything up, and the characters came alive on screen. The special effects took the audience into the fantasies the father was describing. There were giants, witches, enchanted trees, and of course, really big fish. The hair and makeup for the special effects was wonderful, and brought the audience through the journey. Lighting was a large part of this movie to show mood. It was very dark and mysterious when they wanted the audience to feel discomfort or sadness, and very bright and glowing during happy moments. In a few of the scenes that showed the father’s true happiness, there was a radiant glow coming from the characters faces. Costumes were also well done. They set the time period and the scenes perfectly.
Acting and Dialogue
The acting was admirable. Each actor really dove into their character that showed on the screen. The townspeople of spectre, the giant, the witch, the son, and the wife acted with such emotion, like the role was their life. Ewan McGregor (Ed Bloom Jr.) was superb. His facial expressions were so powerful and delivered all emotion to the audience. The acting overall was very well done.
The dialogue in this film was stellar. Albery Finney's (Ed Bloom Sr.) voice and the way he narrated the stories was so exciting. Without his dialogue, the movie wouldn't be as powerful. Dialogue helped the flow of the movie, improved the understanding of relationships between characters (especially the son and the father), and kept the audience engaged on what adventures we're coming next.
The acting was admirable. Each actor really dove into their character that showed on the screen. The townspeople of spectre, the giant, the witch, the son, and the wife acted with such emotion, like the role was their life. Ewan McGregor (Ed Bloom Jr.) was superb. His facial expressions were so powerful and delivered all emotion to the audience. The acting overall was very well done.
The dialogue in this film was stellar. Albery Finney's (Ed Bloom Sr.) voice and the way he narrated the stories was so exciting. Without his dialogue, the movie wouldn't be as powerful. Dialogue helped the flow of the movie, improved the understanding of relationships between characters (especially the son and the father), and kept the audience engaged on what adventures we're coming next.
Allegories
This film touched on many allegories:
"You're a big fish in a small pond... but this here's an ocean and you're drowning."
"Most things considered evil are simply lonely... slacking social niceties."
"The biggest fish in the river gets that way by never getting caught."
"The only thing about ice bergs is that you only see 10%, the 90% is below the water."
"Man tells a story so many times he becomes it. That way it becomes immortal, they live on after him."
Tim Burton teaches so many lessons through this film... and they're very important to learn at any age. They're put into all of Tim Burton's films, and they help give the movies meaning.
Big Fish and Edward Scissorhands.
While watching Big Fish, I came across many similarities with Edward Scissorhands, a whole class text.
First, both movies started and ended with a “bedtime story.” In the beginning of Big Fish, the movie started with the father telling the son a story. At the end, the son is telling a story to the father laying in bed. In Edward Scissorhands the story begins with a woman telling a bedtime story to a little girl, and at the end they close with the same scene.
This film touched on many allegories:
"You're a big fish in a small pond... but this here's an ocean and you're drowning."
"Most things considered evil are simply lonely... slacking social niceties."
"The biggest fish in the river gets that way by never getting caught."
"The only thing about ice bergs is that you only see 10%, the 90% is below the water."
"Man tells a story so many times he becomes it. That way it becomes immortal, they live on after him."
Tim Burton teaches so many lessons through this film... and they're very important to learn at any age. They're put into all of Tim Burton's films, and they help give the movies meaning.
Big Fish and Edward Scissorhands.
While watching Big Fish, I came across many similarities with Edward Scissorhands, a whole class text.
First, both movies started and ended with a “bedtime story.” In the beginning of Big Fish, the movie started with the father telling the son a story. At the end, the son is telling a story to the father laying in bed. In Edward Scissorhands the story begins with a woman telling a bedtime story to a little girl, and at the end they close with the same scene.
Second, the musical score. In both films, there was one soundtrack that was played throughout the entire time. It was the same music that the movies started out opening credits with, and played through the whole movie. It’s very soft and elegant, with no lyrics. It set the soothing mood through transition of scenes.
Lastly, both stories are intertwined with powerful allegories and themes. A common message both texts share is that sometimes it's better to be different. Normal is boring.
Tim Burton continues to amaze with every film I watch of his. He has a very distinct style. Animation or not, there's always a whimsical twist. It's refreshing to watch, and the allegories that he ties in are things to live by.
Lastly, both stories are intertwined with powerful allegories and themes. A common message both texts share is that sometimes it's better to be different. Normal is boring.
Tim Burton continues to amaze with every film I watch of his. He has a very distinct style. Animation or not, there's always a whimsical twist. It's refreshing to watch, and the allegories that he ties in are things to live by.
Citations
1. http://www.solarmovie.tl/link/play/1796515/
2. http://www.solarmovie.tl/play/play.php?movie=0099487
1. http://www.solarmovie.tl/link/play/1796515/
2. http://www.solarmovie.tl/play/play.php?movie=0099487