"A man tells his stories so many times that he becomes the stories. They live on after him, and in that way he becomes immortal"

Big Fish

Director: Tim Burton

Written by: Daniel Wallace and John August

Big Fish has to be one the most beautiful films that I have ever seen.

Firstly, it is visually a pleasure for the eyes... more so then Robert Pattison even. 

Each different set, each costume, makes you feel like you've escaped head first into a fantasy world. Burtons visionary manages to make you feel like you're in the movie, smelling the flowers, diving into the water and sitting first hand at the Fathers bedside. In most of his films no matter if you're a fan or not, one thing he never skips on is the attention to detail. Unlike his notorious love for all things gothic and eerie, his art for Big Fish is unlike any other Burton film he's created. The colours aren't scoring a 10 on the richter scale and are peaceful, quaint with hints of bold but subtle tints. The construction of the sets are so wonderful that it is almost like it's a pop-up-book come to life. The special effects are so delicately done that it gives the the fantasy and edge of reality. Their not over done that you start to doubt that a man could really be so tall, which would then ruin the ethos of the movie straight away. 

  Secondly, not only is it a visual stunning, but it is also one of the most beautiful story lines to match. It is such a heart wrenching tale that I would bet my life pleasures of Starbucks on that you will be very close to, if not pouring your eyes out by the end.  The relationship between the Father and Son is so moving, especially as it has been directed to allow you to see though both their eyes without siding with one more then the other. It teaches you to be empathetic to other peoples views and to have a little more faith in things you're too quick to doubt. 

  Including Ewan McGregor as the leading actor was right on the money. He is the perfect gentlemen to portray a very gracious yet slightly over-ambitious character, that you believe every story and word that comes out of his mouth. No matter how obscene his stories may seem, you can't help but to believe that perhaps such instances can occur. His characters relationship with all the vast people he comes across throughout his life has been so wonderfully meshed that you fall for him even more as the hero, as he is so versatile and romantic that he gets on with everyone he meets. No matter how rude, weird, strange, scary or simple they may be.

   You would get so lost in the magic were it not for the storyline constructed on the sons lack of faith in his fathers 'exaggerated' stories. I think that works so well for the film because the minute you're about to lose yourself, you get snatched back to reality which keeps the moral of the story alive.

 You know it's sure to be a winner for the reason that John August has worked with Burton on so many of his films already.. 'Charlie and the Chocolate factory', 'Corpse Bride' and the widely anticipated 'Frankenweenie'. If a writer can understand the visions of the Director then you know their working collaboration will just work in bringing out the best of each other. Not only that but Big Fish was also a novel by Wallace, and I believe that sometimes the best ideas for movies come originally from books as you can picture the story in your imagination all the more.

This is a film that everyone has to watch. It's like a life lecture served with popcorn but unlike most lessons, this is one you are sure not to forget.