BigFish

Mythic Fiction and Contemporary Urban Fantasy: "Big Fish"

Tim Burton’s film “Big Fish” is one of my favorite all time films. I am most fascinated by the story telling, visual style, and message. The film is mostly told through Edward bloom’ dying man’s narrative. He tells stories of his life and captivates his audience. The one person he can’t seem to ever convince is his son, Will. Will question if he can believe anything his father says. He later goes and finds all of the places and people his father talks about but. He realizes that everything his father said was in fact, real. It was just exaggerated. Big fish is comprised of many tall tales that seem much bigger than life.

The lighting and staging creates powerful unique moods. Some of my most memorable moments in the film were depictions of Edward Bloom’s wife. The film uses beautiful lighting and cinematography to enhance the moment of intense wonder and beauty Edward bloom feels. An example of a powerful moment in cinematography was when Edward bloom sees his wife for the very first time. Time froze still and we’re brought to a special place beyond reality. Another memorable shot was when He stands before her window offering her flowers. The lighting on her face was angelic and soft and the atmosphere was incredibly full of love and innocence. Or another time, when the world was gray when Edward’s wife thinks her husband is dead. Tim Burton really moved me with his amazing lighting and cinematography on Big Fish.

The Idea of acceptance and trust is resonated throughout the film. Edward bloom befriends many characters including his wife in which he had to earn their trust. In the end he has to earn his son’s trust. From viewing the film it made me realize how wonderful life is and how much adventure one has yet to experience. It also makes me think about the idea of how everything in our mind is bigger than what they truly are. People have glorious images of places they’ve never been to or things they have never done. Once they do it they realize it wasn’t as satisfying as they imagined it to be. The way the film Big Fish told its story clearly reflects this concept.