- Film Review
- Reviewed By Brian Pendreigh
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2 out of 5
After his foray into the dangerous world of remakes with Planet of the Apes, director Tim Burton returned to more familiar territory here - a strange place somewhere between reality and fantasy, dream and nightmare. Albert Finney plays Edward Bloom, an Alabama travelling salesman whose apparent neglect and selfishness, coupled with ridiculous stories of his exploits, have driven a wedge between him and his son, Will (Billy Crudup). Called to his father's deathbed, Will is infuriated when his wife is regaled with tall tales in which young Edward (Ewan McGregor) encounters a giant, a witch, a shape-changing circus ringmaster and a big fish no one can catch. Intent on exposing his father, the disgruntled son sets out to learn the truth. Despite being confined to his bed, Finney conjures up the charisma of the fabulist - brought to life in flashback by McGregor, performing his familiar but effective cheeky chappie routine. Essentially a road movie, Big Fish drifts colourfully along, but ultimately lacks the edge that made Edward Scissorhands so powerful, as well as so strange.
Plot Summary
Fantasy drama directed by Tim Burton, starring Ewan McGregor and Albert Finney, and featuring Billy Crudup. On his deathbed, travelling salesman Edward Bloom is reunited with his estranged journalist son and recounts a variety of colourful adventures in which he encounters a giant, a witch and other fantastic creatures.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Young Edward Bloom
- Ewan McGregor
- Edward Bloom
- Albert Finney
- Will Bloom
- Billy Crudup
- Sandra Bloom
- Jessica Lange
- Jenny / The Witch
- Helena Bonham Carter
- Young Sandra
- Alison Lohman
- Dr Bennett
- Robert Guillaume
- Josephine
- Marion Cotillard
- Karl the Giant
- Matthew McGrory
- Don Price (age 18-22)
- David Denman
- Mildred
- Missi Pyle
- Beamen
- Loudon Wainwright III
- Ping
- Ada Tai
- Jing
- Arlene Tai
- Norther Winslow
- Steve Buscemi
- Amos Calloway
- Danny DeVito
- Mr Soggybottom
- Deep Roy
Crew
- Director
- Tim Burton
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