Movie #75 -- Big Fish

Title: Big Fish

Director: Tim Burton

Release Year: 2003

Plot Summary: A young man (Billy Crudup) tries to come to grips with the "life" of his father (portrayed by both Albert Finney and Ewan McGregor) who is in his last days.

Thoughts: This is easily director Tim Burton's most accessable film -- not nearly as dark as 'Edward Scissorhands' or 'Batman'. It also seems to be his most personal. The script almost feels like it could have been written by Cameron Crowe -- it's got that type of vibe. But to the technical aspects: it's certainly the kind of direction and visuals that only Burton could have pulled off.

The cast is fantastic: Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Helena Bonham Carter, Steve Buscemi, Robert Guillaume, and so on. There's not a foul note there. The music of Danny Elfman is fantastic, as it always is, and the songs used throughout the movie are about as perfectly placed as they could be. Of particular note is the Pearl Jam track "Man of the Hour" which plays over the end credits and really sums up the mood of the film.

This was one of the best movies released in 2003 -- and, unfortunately, seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle of the pleothora of fabulous movies that were released that year.

It's heartwarming and touching in the extreme. End of story.

Rating (0-10): 8.4

Recomendations: I'd consider it essential to a DVD collection. If you're not interested in collecting, rent it -- it's something the entire family can watch -- it's a family film without being one, if that makes any sense.