Big Eyes [Blu-ray]

Good film and beautiful art scenes from Margaret Keane.

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.

I think most of us who follow Tim Burton, know him best for his dark and Gothic work, full of twisting, ghostly trees, Johnny Depp and Danny Elfman scores. Well, not much of that in ‘Big Eyes’ (oh, apart from the Danny Elfman score!). In fact, much of Burton’s trademark ‘darkness’ isn’t very visible at all. Normally, if I turned on the TV and a film was midway through featuring Helena Bonham Carter in a dark castle and spine-chilling music, I’d probably say that Tim Burton directed it. However, if I came across Big Eyes halfway through, I’d probably be surprised when I saw the end credits roll and find Tim’s name attached.It’s basically a straight drama which is based on the true account of a man who – quite cynically – ‘stole’ his wife’s painting career in the fifties and sixties when it was less common for a woman to be known for her artwork. And, for much of it, it’s quite a hard watch. Christoph Waltz plays the husband, who is quite happy to take all the fame, credit and money (surprise!) from his wife, while she does all the work. Naturally, with a character like that in one of the lead roles, not many of us will find us exactly rooting for him. Amy Adams is his long-suffering wife and, at first, does come across as a little too wistful, allowing herself to be exploited by this man for his own financial gain. However, that’s the story – we follow as she slowly turns one corner after the other in her quest to rid herself of this artistic leach.The performances are good, but Waltz’s character does come across a little too ‘cartoonish’ at times, almost being comedic when you probably wouldn’t be.It’s hardly fast-paced, but then many of Burton’s films are (in fact... many have criticised him for his lack of ability to live up the pace of a film, even when it was demanded). Big Eyes is the kind of film you need to be in as subdued mood as the principal cast to really enjoy it. Don’t expect anything other than a straight (biographical) drama with no real thrills, spills, or twists and turns. I won’t say anything about how it unfolds, but I think most of us will guess how it ends pretty soon after watching it. It’s enjoyable enough if you’re in the mood for something slow and happy to let it gradually uplift you.

Really enjoyed this film

Thus is such a good film, I'm not sure why it wasn't very successful at the time it came out.It's time Burton's least Tim Burton like film and that's no bad thing.The performances are all absolutely convincing and deniable to watch.If highly recommend this film.Looks beautiful as well

Watching a gain and again.