Big Fish (2003)

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Ed Bloom (young)	Ewan McGregor	½
Ed Bloom (senior)	Albert Finney
Will Bloom	Billy Crudup
Sandra Bloom	Jessica Lange
Jenny/The Witch	Helena Bonham Carter
Sandra Templeton Bloom	Alison Lohman
Dr. Bennett	Robert Guillaume
Josephine	Marion Cotillard
The Giant	Matthew McGrory
Beamen	Loudon Wainwright III
Norther Winslow	Steve Buscemi	½

Review

Tim Burton salutes life and stories in this often captivating film about a dying man who revisits his life, and the son who wants to get to the bottom of his fantastical stories. Burton plays with the boundaries between fantasy and reality, and the film has several poignant moments, but also avoids too many important issues. Burton's universe is usually remarkably visionary, but among many highlights, Big Fish also contains a few dreary and banal storylines. That being said, the ending is rewarding, if not intellectually than at least emotionally and narratively. Billy Crudup and Albert Finney are both fine, but they never get the chance to act off one another and the chemistry remains absent. Look for Helena Bonham Carter and an ever beautiful Jessica Lange in pleasant supporting roles.