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From Amazon.co.uk
After a string of mediocre movies, director Tim Burton regains his footing as he shifts from macabre fairy tales to southern tall tales. Big Fish twines in and out of the oversized stories of Edward Bloom, played as a young man by Ewan McGregor and as a dying father by Albert Finney. Edward's son Will (Billy Crudup) sits by his father's bedside but has little patience with the old man's fables, because he feels these stories have kept him from knowing who his father really is. Burton dives into Bloom's imagination with zest, sending the determined young man into haunted woods, an idealised southern town, a travelling circus and much more. The result is sweet but--thanks to the director's dark and clever sensibility--never saccharine. The film also features Jessica Lange, Alison Lohman, Helena Bonham Carter, Danny DeVito and Steve Buscemi. --Bret Fetzer
Product Description
Edward Bloom has always been a teller of tall-tales about his oversized life as a young man, when his wanderlust led him on an unlikely journey from a small-town in Alabama, around the world, and back again. His mythic exploits dart from the delightful to the delirious as he weaves epic tales about giants, blizzards, a witch and conjoined-twin lounge singers. With his larger-than-life stories, Bloom charms almost everyone he encounters except for his estranged son Will. When his mother, Sandra, tries to reunite them, Will must learn how to separate fact from fiction as he comes to terms with his father’s great feats and great failings.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
41 of 43 people found the following review helpful
By RyScott
Format:DVD
This is a great film, unlike any other you will have seen before. It tells the story of Edward Bloom (played by Albert Finney and Ewan Mcgregor)through the eyes of his sceptical son Will. Edwards life, as told by Edward himself, was a whirlwind journey across the world where he encounters giants, a fantasy village, and a half-man, half-horse circus conductor (played by Danny DeVito). As the film continues, it becomes clear that Will has strong doubts about all his fathers stories. But when he realises his father has little time left to live, he finally starts to explore his fathers life and it emerges that some of his stories may actually be true after all. This is a heart-warming tale of fantasy colliding with reality, and has a truly magical ending. You will not be disappointed. You do not have to be a fan of Ewan Mcgregor to enjoy this, as i wasnt before seeing this film, but i found his acting range superb. Excellent Film for all ages.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By mattyab
Format:DVD
What a great story about the art of story-telling. This is the first review i have ever written, which shows how highly i rate this film. I have watched it a number of times now... and each time it gives you something new and leaves you satisfied. There is so much to this film that its hard to know where to begin. Firstly, it is pretty obvious that this is a bit of a departure for Tim Burton, being that it is not as dark as most of his other films. However, his quirkiness and eye for detail remain (his best qualities as a film-maker in my opinion) and together with a story that is driven by the narrative (again-rare for Burton-esque films) and a cast on top-form (esp. Danny DeVito & Albert Finney) he has put together a great great film, that really does have everything. It has lots of hilarious moments, a few scary moments, romantic moments, and some very sad and emotional moments. It is a story rooted in reality with a dose of fantasy combined with a dash of Burton brilliance.... to make it truly magical.
This film reminds you of the power of story-telling. It tells you that it is a gift to have an active imagination and to use it to inspire others.
Its just a shame it wasn't a commercial success. On the other hand, it doesn't surprise me...for a film to be a commercial success nowadays it has to either be; epic in some way; full of CGI; filmed in New Zealand; starring Tom Cruise.
This film reminds you of the power of story-telling. It tells you that it is a gift to have an active imagination and to use it to inspire others.
Its just a shame it wasn't a commercial success. On the other hand, it doesn't surprise me...for a film to be a commercial success nowadays it has to either be; epic in some way; full of CGI; filmed in New Zealand; starring Tom Cruise.
So, buy this film and make it into a commercial grower!
Oh....it has a really great song over the end credits aswell.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Andrew Kerr
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
Tim Burton has often been, well, a little too weird for me. This film is one of his more accessible ones, and is very charming with it.
With a great cast (Billy Crudup of Almost Famous is particularly good, as are Ewan MacGregor and Albert Finney), the general impression is of a sort of Alice in Wonderland for the modern age.
A son and a father who haven't talked in 3 years are brought together when the father seems like he's about to die. The son has been embarrassed by his father's tall tales for years, and now he wants to REALLY know what his father did with his life. It appears the truth is at least as stange as the fiction, as we are taken through numerous flashbacks to see the incredible life he led.
There's no huge drama here, and nothing in the way of explosions or other obvious Hollywood tools for manipulating the audience. Just a darn good tale and some wonderful photography to set it off.
The extras on the DVD are excellent too, making this well worth buying for those kind of Saturday nights where you just want to relax and watch a NICE film.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Every so often a film comes along that blows away your mind. Not through mind numbing violence, but just because. Because it makes you gasp as you breathe in its beauty . It makes you smile through its story telling and its vibrancy makes you glad to be alive. Yet its sadness at times reminds us of our fallibilty and fraility as human beings. This is one of those films. A modern day fairy tale for grown ups. As a new viewer of Mr Burtons work I was not disappointed at all by this film quite the opposite it was a joy to watch. The film itself chronicles the troubled relationship of a man and his grown up son who is ,frankly fed up of his Fathers tall tales. It shows how the son discovers that his Fathers tall stories though not all they seem , are infact a grand description that is the rich tapestry of his life. He comes to realise throughout the film that there is more than the essence of truth in his Fathers tall tales and a new found respect and love grows between them. This film will leave you with a warm heart and a smile on your face. Bravo Mr Burton!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By K. Driscoll
Format:DVD
Tim Burton's return to genuine film making is a welcome endeavor indeed. Here he creates a film that reminds me of what great film making is all about: fantasy, love and reflecting on the human spirit. I scoffed at a review that compared Big Fish to The Wizard of Oz when Big Fish first came out, but upon viewing it the comparison is really not hyperbolic at all and is actually quite justified. There is a unique carelessness and an innocence that resides perfectly and constantly in both films. To me, both films are truly a breath of fresh air and hope.
Big Fish is a book written by Daniel Wallace and is the delightful story of Edward Bloom, who has reached the twilight of his life and surrounds himself with his son, daughter-in-law and his wonderful wife Sandra. Eddie has seemingly lived a fantastic life of lies and exaggerations and his son has grown to call his bluff on more than one occasion. In fact, his son returns not just to possibly say good-bye to his father, but to attempt to get him to spill the beans on the truth of who his old man really is. Eddie of course, stands by his stories and brushes off his son's accusations nonchalantly. Most of the film we see Eddie revisit his life as a whole, seen through only his own stories. How he once befriended a 12 foot man; how he arrived in a town that was paradise, once to early and once too late when he turned it back into paradise again; how he joined the circus for three years so he could find out pieces information once a month from Amos the ringmaster about the girl Eddie was sure would be his wife and how Sandra would believe Eddie to be dead in war but he would return. The stories are full of details that would clearly indicate they are false but sometimes they are just better that way.... Read more ›
Big Fish is a book written by Daniel Wallace and is the delightful story of Edward Bloom, who has reached the twilight of his life and surrounds himself with his son, daughter-in-law and his wonderful wife Sandra. Eddie has seemingly lived a fantastic life of lies and exaggerations and his son has grown to call his bluff on more than one occasion. In fact, his son returns not just to possibly say good-bye to his father, but to attempt to get him to spill the beans on the truth of who his old man really is. Eddie of course, stands by his stories and brushes off his son's accusations nonchalantly. Most of the film we see Eddie revisit his life as a whole, seen through only his own stories. How he once befriended a 12 foot man; how he arrived in a town that was paradise, once to early and once too late when he turned it back into paradise again; how he joined the circus for three years so he could find out pieces information once a month from Amos the ringmaster about the girl Eddie was sure would be his wife and how Sandra would believe Eddie to be dead in war but he would return. The stories are full of details that would clearly indicate they are false but sometimes they are just better that way.... Read more ›
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4.2 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not for everyone
The film is very much for those who enjoy a fantasy as it based around that principle that imagination is the key.. Read more
Published 16 days ago by Mrs Don
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful, magical film
Just a wonderful, enchanting film with great acting from Ewan and in fact all the cast. Took a little while to "get into it" and to relax and suspend belief, but once that... Read more
Published 20 days ago by Mrs Ann M E Lyon
4.0 out of 5 stars
Underrated Tim Burton Classic.
Great film. Wonderful acting all around, one of the forgotten Tim Burton classics. Easily empathetic characters and a nice gothic edge at times.
Published 1 month ago by Ross Leyshon
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's an emotional film
I'm a 32 year old man, and this is one of the very few films along side Glory, Ghost and Saving Private Ryan to make me cry.
Published 2 months ago by bigandybear
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great late night movie
A most watchable movie for any time of the day, but best as a late movie with a packet of crisps
Published 3 months ago by Lizzie
4.0 out of 5 stars
fantasic
Please watch this film. I started watching this film as my 9 year old was. I thought what is this fantasy drivel. Read more
Published 4 months ago by realist
5.0 out of 5 stars
As said
as said in descriion arrived prompty and on time would recommend to tim burton lovers.
mint conditon and qualuty viwewing
mint conditon and qualuty viwewing
Published 5 months ago by Kraylinz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great entertainment
A truly great film. I am not a huge fan of Ewan McGregor but in this film he gets it just right. This film is a fantastical story with an element of the fairy tale about it whilst... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Angela Murphy
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent adult fable
'Big Fish' is my favourite film from Tim Burton, a great movie for all the family to enjoy. It is the story of Will Bloom (Billy Crudup), a man who knows that his father (Albert... Read more
Published 10 months ago by ReviewBlog51
4.0 out of 5 stars
Cool film, bit odd...
I only bought this as I am a huge fan of Ewan McGregor - it's a good film, don't get me wrong, but it is quite strange! Read more
Published 11 months ago by Katie
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