BIG FISH (2003) - ♦♦♦♦

Directed by - Tim Burton

Written by - John August (based on a novel by Daniel Wallace)

Starring - Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup

"A son tries to discover more about the life of his dying father by imagining all the fairytales and stories he told him throughout his life. 

For Big Fish, Tim Burton lent his gothic storytelling style to the tear jerking melodramatic narrative, arguably more so than he had ever done before or even ever again. The story is defined by an imaginative style, beautiful visuals and a brightly lit colourful palette that accentuates its forays into its peculiar world of fantastic tales, magical creatures and strange people. This not only infuses the film with a welcome sense of nostalgia, but also openly recalls and pays tribute to traditional American folklore. 

At its core, however, the film is universally charming because of its father and son theme, and particularly the one of a son's disenchantment for his father and a loss of innocence, which is dealt with in a heartwarming and unique way and which despite its flights of fancy ring quite honest and true."

Drama, USA