Big Fish **** (2003, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Ewan McGregor, Helena Bonham Carter, Danny DeVito, Matthew McGrory, Jessica Lange, Alison Lohmann) – Classic Movie Review 293

That old cynic, director Tim Burton, gets in touch with his sentimental inner self in this posh, stylish, and marvellous-looking fantasy heart-warmer from 2003. It’s a quirky winner, but, oh, how you miss the really sharp wit and dark soul of his Ed Wood, Edward Scissorhands and Sleepy Hollow.

Old, tall-story-teller Ed Bloom (Albert Finney) is dying, and his estranged son Will (Billy Crudup) flies over to be at his sick bed to find out the truth about his life before it’s too late.

Ewan McGregor plays the young Ed Bloom in the extended flashbacks, in which he (supposedly) enjoys strange and magical adventures that include meeting a witch (Helena Bonham Carter) with a glass eye that shows how folk will die and circus folk little Amos (Danny DeVito) and large Karl (Matthew McGrory). Jessica Lange plays Sandra, the love of his Finney’s life, with Alison Lohmann as her youthful version.

Finney is ripe and hammy, but then that’s OK because he is playing an old windbag. McGregor is lightweight and so not the young Finney. But then, despite the special cast, it’s not really an acting showcase but a director’s field day, and Burton certainly seems to be enjoying himself. And that’s infectious.

The more than efficient script’s by John August, based on the novel Big Fish, A Story of Mythic Proportions by Daniel Wallace. As always with Burton, it looks and sounds a treat, thanks to Philippe Rousselot’s cinematography, Dennis Gassner’s production designs and Danny Elfman’s Oscar-nominated score.

Miley Cyrus plays Ruthie, aged 8.

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Ed Wood ***** (1994, Johnny Depp, Martin Landau, Sarah Jessica Parker, Bill Murray) – Classic Movie Review 98

© Derek Winnert 2013 Classic Movie Review 293

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