Big Eyes

Erik Bates: “It ruled.”

I was surprised to see this one nominated for Golden Globes but not any Academy Awards, especially seeing as how Amy Adams actually won the Golden Globe for her role.

It's hard to think of this one as a Tim Burton movie, especially without Helena Bonham Carter anywhere to be seen. We were comforted by a Danny Elfman score, however, which was even subdued for him, in my opinion. There were traces of Burton throughout, but not overwhelming. I suppose the paintings, themselves, are in their own way a little "Burton-esque." I am hesitant to say that, however, considering how the entire movie was about Margaret Keane not getting credit for her own work.

The biggest down-side in the film was the casting of Christoph Waltz. I suppose they couldn't bear to have a man from Nebraska be a dirty scoundrel, so they cast Waltz, making her husband, therefore, German, and all is right with the world. To his credit, Waltz did a superb job, as he usually does. It was just odd casting that threw me off, considering I knew where his character was from, having read a little bit about him prior to seeing the movie.

− February 23, 2015 • more by Erik • log in or create an account to reply

Scott Hardie: I haven't seen this film and know little of the true story. I'm curious what attracted Tim Burton to it. With a movie like Big Fish or Edward Scissorhands or Ed Wood, I can see Burton working out some of his psychological issues via the film. What is it about the story of an artist whose husband stole credit for her work would have appealed to him? Guilt for him getting all of the praise for "bringing out" Helena Bonham Carter's performances? What a twist it would be if it turned out that Carter actually directed this. − February 26, 2015 • more by Scott

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