miryamos You've to search for your place in the world to be happy - this idea seems to be suggested in all the adventures that the main character discovers in his big journey. It's an incredible sense of freedom and a true empowerment that never leaves one while seeing this movie. It gives you the impression that there's no thing in this world that cannot be accomplished once you're ready to even give up on your life for your true passions. Quaint, lovely, funny quotes seem to be everywhere.

danaaki_99 Big Fish is an optimistic masterpiece that combines adventure, drama, suspense. romance and of course tons of fantasy. I believe that the thing that makes it so special is its originality. Tim Burton ,the director of the film, has given his best shot in order to make a film that has nothing to do with any other film, staying loyal ,of course, to the peculiarity of his own unique style.The positive aspects of this film are numerous. Firstly, the story is interesting and at the same time moving. Then, the special effects are stunning, considering the period in which the film was created. Moreover, the score, created by a usual suspect when talking about a Tim Burton's film, Danny Elfman, totally deserved the nominations it received. As far as the interpretations of the actors are concerned, they are all flawless. Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, Helena Bonham Carter as well as Marion Cotillard, Steve Buscemi and Danny DeVito are not only big names but also great in their own way. They achieve to make the character they play appealing to the audience. Speaking the truth, if I had the chance I wouldn't replace any of them as the roles were tailor made. By this I don't mean that this film gives them the opportunity to unfold every aspect of their talent but that they meet perfectly the expectations created by their role. This film is a proof to the theory that great films don't always receive Oscars, Golden Globes or other important awards, despite the fact that they deserve them. I sincerely cannot justify why this film is so underrated. For all the reasons above, I strongly recommend watching Big Fish. You won't regret it!

bbewnylorac I just saw this the whole way through for the first time on DVD. I laughed. I cried. I was enthralled. The actors are all perfectly cast, and are completely committed to this story, which points out that while the tall tales we tell may not be the whole truth, they are also the spice of life, and sustain us in good times and bad. We actually need them to survive. Much like we need movies. Albert Finney is possibly the most under-rated actor ever; as the dying Edward Bloom, he is a wonderful raconteur but also tender and loving. Billy Crudup does a sterling job as his bitter, very skeptical son, who is tired of his father never letting facts get in the way of a good story. As Edward's wife, Jessica Lange is luminous. She has long accepted his eccentric ways, and loves him for it. The scene of she and Edward in the bathtub is incredibly moving. As the young Edward, Scottish actor Ewan McGregor brings a nutty energy to his role. In the flashback scenes that the older Edward narrates about him, McGregor undergoes all sorts of wondrous adventures - from befriending a giant living in a cave, to fending off jumping spiders and a werewolf, to visiting a phantom village where no one ever leaves, to parachuting out of a plane in wartime and meeting beautiful Siamese twin women.The supporting actors are exceptional. Danny De Vito obviously relishes playing a brash circus ringmaster who Edward eventually befriends. Helena Bonham Carter plays an eccentric older woman who may, or may not, have had an affair with the younger Edward. Steve Buscemi, as usual, is entertaining and endearing as both a hopeless poet in the phantom village, and later an inept bank robber who once again crosses paths with Edward. French actor Marion Cotillard, playing the older Edward's daughter-in-law, is a key element in the story - as a newcomer to the family, she wants to understand and get to know Edward, so she asks him to tell her more about his life. Best of all, the film is made with great love by director Tim Burton. The fish metaphor might be a little overdone, but I think ultimately the film works beautifully, whether it's as a comment on humanity, a fairytale, an escape, or a fun lark. Whatever you want to make of it.

zkonedog In my lifetime, I have come across very few movies ("It's A Wonderful Life", "The Champ") that will make grown men care enough about the stories/characters to weep. "Big Fish" is one of those select films.For a basic plot summary, this movie tells the story of a dying old man (Albert Finney) and his son (Billy Crudup). For his entire life, the son has been overshadowed by the tall tales of his father, and is resentful of that fact. In the final days of the old man's life, however, his stories featuring the younger version of himself (Ewan McGregor) prove to indeed be the most important link between father and son.Since this is a Tim Burton-directed movie, trying to explain it in words is like trying to describe a work of art hanging in a museum. You know it is great, but you just can't quite put a solid explanation pulling together all the reasons why. Suffice it to say, however, it is one of the rare Burton efforts that is rife with his flare for the cinematography craziness but yet manages to not get lost in the imagery and still make sense in the end."Big Fish" is also one of the most emotional movies one could ever watch. It will particular touch fathers and sons (as that is the backbone of the story), but there is something for everyone to enjoy. Actors such as Danny DeVito, Helena Bonham Carter, Alison Lohman, Marion Cotillard, and Steve Buscemi play key roles that enhance the emotion all that much more.Overall, "Big Fish" is a movie that must be seen in order to fully be understood. Look at all the five-star reviews here on Amazon and know that it isn't because of a "fad" or a bunch of fanboys. This is just a solid movie featuring top-notch storytelling, emotion, characters, cinematography, and even humor.