Dirk V
Reviewer

      “Big Fish” combines stories within a story and references to numerous mythological tales to make it one of the best films Tim Burton has ever made.
 
      The basic story sounds simple enough: a son attempts to learn about his estranged father before he dies. The only problem is that the son has a hard time believing anything his father tells him because he is prone to telling elaborate tales. The son attempts to reconcile the difference between the fact and the fiction in his father’s tales before coming to a truth of his own.
 
      The driving force behind the movie is the son’s quest to uncover his father’s past, but it is his father’s stories about his past that make this movie great. The stories Edward Bloom (Albert Finney) tells his son are so grandiose that they are hard to believe, but he tells them with such vigor that, even though they are outlandish, you want to believe their veracity. Edward’s stories about giants, witches and fish keep the story moving forward and reveal pieces of his true self that help his son to better understand his nature.
 
      References to mythological stories and other fantastical tales abound in this film, but the main part of the story, Young Edward’s (Ewan McGregor) journey, is like a modern “Odyssey.” After deciding to leave his small hometown with a giant, he endures degrading jobs at a carnival and a war in order to be home with the woman he loves. The framework of this story is also similar to another story of tales of fantastical deeds—“The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.” In “Munchausen,” an old man retells fantastical tales to a young girl who finds them hard to believe. At the end of the movie, there is a revelation that proves the tales are not quite as impossible as they may seem, which is similar to the ending in “Big Fish.”
 
      McGregor is entertaining as the Young Edward, and does a great job bringing the fantastical tales to life, but it is Finney as the Old Edward who is the heart of this film. Not only does he provide excellent voice-overs when he is telling the stories of his youth, but his scenes as an emotionally distant father trying to reconnect with his son while on his deathbed are particularly moving. They give the film its warmth and keep the stories interesting.
 
      The story, however, is the best part of the film. Burton has written and directed what could be his finest film. “Big Fish” is a nice change of pace from some of Burton’s other films. It is not quite as dark as some of Burton’s previous works. He refrains from pushing the supernatural and gothic looks common in some of his other films into “Big Fish.” He does manage, however, to retain strong character development and create emotionally complex and endearing characters.
 
      “Big Fish” is an emotionally touching story that benefits from a fine cast, strong writing and excellent direction. Everyone who sees it will leave with a moist eye and a smile on their face.