Big Fish (2003)

Release date: 2004-01-09
Country: USA
Language: English|Cantonese
Director: Tim Burton
Production Co: Columbia Pictures, Jinks/Cohen Company, The Zanuck Company
Genre: Romance, Drama, Adventure, Fantasy
Rating: 8.0/10
Length: 2h 5min

Storyline

United Press International journalist Will Bloom and his French freelance photojournalist wife Josephine Bloom, who is pregnant with their first child, leave their Paris base to return to Will's hometown of Ashton, Alabama on the news that his father, Edward Bloom, stricken with cancer, will soon die, he being taken off chemotherapy treatment. Although connected indirectly through Will's mother/Edward's wife, Sandra Bloom, Will has been estranged from his father for three years since his and Josephine's wedding. Will's issue with his father is the fanciful tales Edward has told of his life all his life, not only to Will but the whole world. As a child when Edward was largely absent as a traveling salesman, Will believed those stories, but now realizes that he does not know his father, who, as he continues to tell these stories, he will never get to know unless Edward comes clean with the truth before he dies. On the brink of his own family life beginning, Will does not want to be the ...

Plot Keywords

fish, father son relationship, death of father, liar, based on novel, legend, father son estrangement, small town, texas, surrealism, flashback, growing up, multiple narrators, storytelling, journey, basketball, childbirth, crow, family feud, female nudity

Short Review

When it catches fire, this great-looking movie offers hilarious diversions. And as father and son struggle toward a hard-won reconciliation, Big Fish reveals its beating heart.