big fish [B+]

moviemcpeake snippet: Whimsical, playful, wishful, heartfelt…this is just the beginning of the words that could be used to describe Big Fish. I was taken on a journey last night. A journey of a man's little white lies of his adventures. His son, now an adult, finds himself struggling to find out who is father really is because all he knows are his father's stories. Stories of big fishes, shoeless towns, and carnival folk. An altered reality. A reality too hard to imagine because it sounds much like something out of a Dr. Seuss book or a Tim Burton film. But did I ever enjoy being part of this magical creation. Such imagination, one has to at least appreciate the creativity of the writing.

Ewan McGregor could carry his acting solely on his bright-eyed, over confident, salesman quality grin. He is truly adorable. You can't help but loving him and his confidence as Ed Bloom. He plays well in the childlike atmosphere. Ed Bloom has a toy. That toy is life. McGregor is playful with his character and with the story.

There are so many wonderful scenes in this film. So many talented actors. Too many to even touch upon. The casting was impeccable and perfect. If I had read the novel, I am sure I would have imagined the people and places no different. This seems to be Tim Burton's strongest talent. To capture the story visually, just the way your mind would have imagined it. His films are dream-like.

The one area I felt the film could have been better was its pace. All the stories were so playful. You felt like you were on a ride but it was a rather slow ride. Each story was exciting and you couldn't wait to get to the next but it just didn't swirl around you. It didn't play with you enough. I felt like this should have been a film where you dance with every scene, slow---fast---spin---dip! When you finally come to the end of the dance you can come up for air and breathe. Unfortunately, this was not the case. It was more of a take it all in, don't miss a thing, then move along type of pace.

The end. Quite honestly it may be the best ending of a film I have seen. It showed you just how heartfelt the journey was and why Ed Bloom was so lovable. Everything came full circle. It was just perfect.

recommendation: check it out for something different and dream like.