Whenever I watch the movie Big Fish, I swear Tim Burton has cross-examined me at some point in my life without me knowing. I believe this is a substantial piece of art because it is a similar replica to who I am. I define art as something I can connect to, on a spiritual and soulful level; something that can escape me into a realm where no other person exists at that moment.
I am at a total loss to describe it. The concept itself, a son tries to come to terms with his dying father that he knows nothing about but has a web of unbelievable stories, doesn't sound very promising. It sounds like a tired old formula, and I expected such when the rental started playing. It's not.
Werewolves, giants, witches, siamese twins, bank robbers, hidden cities, sirens, etc. are all present in the fantasy, but they seem unremarkably to be part of the life of an otherwise ordinary traveling salesman. Whether they really are or not is never made completely clear, but that's the rub.
I once read a review by Harlan Ellison in which the main point was how a well told lie illuminates the truth in far better clarity than a simple recitation of the facts ever can. At one point in the film, the questing son remarks to his bed-ridden father that he's heard all of his stories thousands of times, and he has know idea who his father really is. The father's reply is, `I've never been anybody but me from the day I was born. If you don't know who I am, that's your failing, not mine.' Later investigations make the point clearer. I'll bet Ellison loved this movie. It is an extraordinary lie.
Did I like the film? You bet. It's Tim Burton's best work without a doubt. Is it for everybody? Probably not. Many will find it confusing and pointless, but good fantasy is like that. All I can say is, relax and let it happen. You won't regret it. It masters my definition of art because I have come across times in my life where I'd rather live in my fantasy world then to come in terms of reality. This movie moves me and captures me every time I see it.
2 comments:
I love that movie too! I think that Tim Burton did a fantastic job stepping out of his usual genre but still keeping his stylistic dream-like imagery. It took me a few times before I felt like I understood the movie, but I enjoyed it more each time I watched it.
I JUST watched that movie on Saturday. I do love it, though. And I completely agree with what you guys are saying about Tim Burton stepping outside his comfort zone but still putting his twist on it. Great article!
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