Big Eyes [Blu-ray]

I didn't know what to make of this movie when I first rented it. I originally thought it was going to be bad, but it surprised me in a good way. It was an interesting movie about the biggest case of art fraud in human history. The most interesting fact about this movie is that Margaret remained a Jehovah's Witness until her death in June of this year. I'd recommend this movie to everyone. It's family friendly and a great movie based on actual events.

This is a well made biopic movie based on the artist/painter Margaret Keane. It's a slower paced drama that may stun some viewers to believe that it was Directed by Tim Burton who is known for his offbeat, dark, gothic look in his pictures. This one is offbeat, but the look and feel of it is the sunny 1950's where everything seems to appear happy and bright. The dark elements are not visual, but rather emotional and at times hard to believe they had ever taken place. This is because it's a different world now and the seemingly odd circumstance Margaret Keane finds herself in is doubtful to happen for someone today, at least not to someone famous.For anyone that knows the story of Margaret Keane and who she is, then there really are no surprises in this movie. It takes place during the height of her fame as a painter when she was one of the most popular artists in the country who would later inspire other famous artists. She was known for painting exaggerated portraits of children with huge appearing eyes that are larger than life and conveying deep emotion. The only problem is that no one knew she was the painter because her husband was committing fraud by posing as the painter publicly and in the media for ten years. Ouch. That alone will piss someone off.Margaret is played brilliantly by Amy Adams who hits all of the right notes in portraying someone with a sense of awareness that what her husband is doing is wrong. Why does she not say anything? Why does she allow it to continue? Her silent disapproval and frustration is apparent to the viewer, but not to her husband who seems to be bouncing off the walls like a court jester deceiving everyone he comes into contact with. The husband, Walter Keane is played by Christopher Waltz. He's got to have done a terrific job, because most everyone that watches this film will find him irritating as he parades around publicly that he's the painter of these infamous portraits of children with Big Eyes.There were some elements that were omitted from the film, such as when Margaret files for divorce and announces that she is the painter, there is a stage out set up by the media in a huge park to bring both Margaret and Walter together in a face off. This would be to both paint something on the set up canvas for each. Margaret showed up, but Walter didn't and we know why. This was omitted as well as that Margaret later remarries a man she meets in Hawaii who in real life she says helped her to stand up to Walter. I would think someone that important who helped her fight back would be included in this movie, but alas for whatever reason it's not.For the most part, the movie is well done, looks great, and pays homage to a painter who never got to enjoy her fame at the height of it. Instead she was hiding out in a basement painting 16 hours a day to make her husband more famous. This is not picked up on the movie and should have been also. The overall general plot may anger and frustrate others to watch as this woman is taken advantage of and yet says and does nothing. It's a different time now and what Margaret was experiencing would likely not happen today. This was happening in the late 1950's and early 1960's when women took a back seat to their husband. Divorce was still frowned upon and a woman setting up on her own was seen as controversial. You would be an outcast. The emotions conveyed in this movie are relatable today, but not the conditions Margaret Keane was in, so it will anger many viewers who may just see her as weak, pathetic, and a doormat. This may make it a difficult watch for those who prefer their lead protagonist in stories to not be a victim. If it's any consolation, she rises to that challenge, but for the viewer it may be too late.

We can herald this film because director Tim Burton has challenged himself by employing a conventional narrative to tell the story of Margaret (Amy Adams) and Walter (Christoph Waltz) Keane. Theirs was a marriage of convenience in that Margaret needed a stable domestic situation to support her young daughter. Because Walter was an inept artist he needed Margaret's artistic vision to compensate for his inadequacy. As a woman in the Fifties Margaret wasn't taken seriously in the art community but Walter had the charisma and gumption to appropriate her works as his own. Because her paintings sold like hotcakes Margaret was willing to hold her peace even as she simmered inside. Walter on the other hand was wallowing in his newfound celebrity and as time elapsed began to believe that he was the creative sparkplug behind Margaret's work. "Big Eyes" recalls "Ed Wood", the last time Burton tackled an artist on the periphery of the American cultural scene. In both cases the artists are savaged by the critics but have acolytes whose opinions resonate years later. I wasn't particularly impressed with the artwork displayed here but one has to remember that Norman Rockwell and Andy Warhol were sneered at by the cultural scions only to be revered by the general public. "Big Eyes" isn't a great film but it is a very good one that kind of falters in the homestretch. Adams is a model of consistency evolving from a timid housewife to a woman with intestinal fortitude in reclaiming what was taken from her by the end. Waltz's performance is more problematic in that he succeeds in the early segments as a caddish manipulator but later in the film chews the scenery in embarrassing fashion particularly in the courtroom scenes. As always Burton knows how to evoke time and place and Danny Elfman offers up a decent period jazz score. An ambitious film demonstrating that Burton is still on his game.

Director Tim Burton moves away from his usual fantastical fables featuring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter to a different kind of movie. Which tells the true story of a remarkable tale from the world of art.In the 1960's, Painter Walter Keane [Christoph Waltz] was all the rage in America thanks to his paintings of children with big eyes. He revolutionised the marketing of art via selling postcards and posters of the pictures rather than just the painting. A lot of the art establishment didn't like that. Or the art itself. But many did and things sold enough to make him very rich.Then the truth came out. Walter wasn't the painter. His wife Margaret [Amy Adams] was.Big Eyes tells Margaret's story. From when she left her first husband to when she met Walter. And how one little white lie told on the spur of the moment became a very big one indeed.It's not just about the story of the lady in question though. As it tackles other themes. The value of art. The creative process. And how one woman found the confidence to take credit for her life's work.Whilst the visuals don't tell the story quite as much as they usually might in a Tim Burton movie, there's a great deal of nice art direction and colour here which makes it very pleasing for the eye. This is a character story first and foremost, and for once Tim Burton does get to demonstrate what a good director he is with actors. Getting many quality performances out of the cast.All of which makes for a fascinating and engrossing watch.There are a couple of minor flaws. It could do with shedding five or so minutes in the second half just to pick up the pacing a bit. And although Christoph Waltz is very good, his performance is just slightly familiar. As if you're watching him acting rather than a character. Although it is very good acting.You might find some of what goes on in the climactic courtroom scene rather hard to believe. But that's not a problem because apparently it's a toned down version of what actually did.The film is also rather clever in that it tests your powers of observation. You'll see what I mean.A thoroughly engrossing and very watchable movie that brings a remarkable story to life, and gets a remarkable lady the recognition she well deserves as well. It's well worth a watch.The dvd has the following language and subtitle options:Languages: English.Subtitles; English.The disc begins with several trailers, which can be skipped via the next button on the dvd remote.For once, DVD viewers do well extras wise. With a twenty minute long making of documentary and a thirty two minute long question and answer session involving cast and the director. And Margaret Keane for some of it. Both are very good extras and good viewing.

There's a phrase in a line of dialogue uttered in this film which in many ways explains how this real-life tale of deception and artistic dispossession came about; “no-one buys lady-art”.Tim Burton's film tells the story of Margaret Keane, the painter of the “Big Eyes” paintings which became incredibly popular in the early 60s; the twist is that Walter, her husband had been taking credit for them until Margaret finally left him and re-claimed the work as her own, eventually resulting in a court case that reaches an almost surreal level.The performances by Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz are excellent, as are the supporting cast – I particularly liked the almost incidental contributions of Terence Stamp as an art critic and Jason Schwartzman as the snobby gallery-owner.The period detail really makes the film though; with beautiful photography and locations the West Coast artistic scene of the time is brilliantly realised, aided by a soundtrack from Danny Elfman and including jazz recordings by Cal Tjader, Red Garland, Miles Davis/Sonny Rollins and a couple of original songs by Lana Del Rey.This is a thoughtful – and thought provoking film; art by women never received much attention or financial success until quite recently; that Keane`s paintings became a commercial success (and the way it happened) is an interesting sub-text to the film.A really compelling, entertaining movie well worth your viewing time.The DVD film is presented in anamorphic 16:9 widescreen with English SDH subtitles; extras are a “Making of” documentary (about 20 mins) and a Q&A feature (about 30 mins) with Burton, cast members and an appearance by Margaret Keane in the first clip.

A very well portrayed film of a true story. Although I remember the style of paintings, though excellent in the skill involved, the paintings were not my taste. But we thoroughly enjoyed the film and it helped us to understand the artist and her story. Would definitely recommend, and there is nothing negative about the story or the portrayal of the artist. Just one tiny patch of mild swearing which passes quickly if you are watching with young ones. One of the most enjoyable and safe films around to watch.

15 minutes into the film I had regretted buying it because it was slow and quite confusing but after that it became amazing. My favourite form of art is pop surrealism/low-brow art and I just loved seeing how she created them. I was quite shocked that it wasn't more on the 'creepy side considering it was a Tim Burton film, but I suppose the paintings spoke for that. What made it better is that Lana Del Rey sins 2 songs for the soundtrack and it fitted the mood of it so well!

Another classic flick from tim burtonNever rated Amy adams before I seen this movie but she can act easily out shinning waltz in every scene