Big Fish (2003)
Directed by Tim Burton
Written by John August
Based on the novel by Daniel Wallace
It’s been years and years and years it seems since I watched this amazing movie. Tim Burton’s beautiful, touching, and visually stunning film chronicles the life of Edward Bloom–a storyteller who embellishes his life stories and has a strained relationship with his adult son.
When I was in college I studied film. My BA is in Film, with an emphasis in Screenwriting. I was pretty much obsessed with Tim Burton, and wrote a thesis paper on him. It was a shame that my paper was written before this film came out. It would have been a very interesting addition to my work in citing the stunning and recurring visuals in Burton’s films.
My father passed away a few years ago. Before he died, I didn’t have a chance to do as Will does in this film(/book?)–I didn’t have a chance to sit with him and write down the stories that he told so often when I was a young girl. I regret that now more than anything in my life. This was the first time I’d seen the film since my father’s passing, and it really struck home for me.
Of course, the last couple of scenes of the movie had me bawling my eyes out. I’m not going to spoil the ending for you, but if you’re in a similar situation to me where the loss of a parent is still raw? You’re gonna need some tissues.
My children weren’t at all interested in the film. There’s no reason that they couldn’t watch it–it’s not sexual or violent, and there’s no swearing. It’s just that at ages 6 and 9 they don’t have any of the life experience that I feel is necessary to understand some of the themes.
As we follow the life of Edward Bloom from his childhood to meeting the love of his life, making life-long friends, and all the joys and struggles he experiences, we are reminded of how powerful optimism and story-telling can be. We get to see how the character succeeds in the most unconventional of ways. We get to guess as to what’s true, and what’s been embellished for entertainment purposes.
The biggest question that comes up over and over again is… does it matter? Even if it’s not the way the events actually happened, does that make the story any less good?
I wish I’d had more of my father’s stories, and I wish I’d had them all on video, or written down. I wish I’d taken the time to ask him questions, to put those stories to memory. Because in the end, that’s how we remember our loved ones.
I highly recommend this movie. I think it’s a fun and fascinating ride. If you’ve seen it, or if you decide to watch it, please leave me a comment below and tell me what you think!
xoxo
Missy
