Tim Burton month: Big Eyes

A review by Brooks Rich

Consider this a bonus Forgotten Film Friday on a Monday as I think Big Eyes came and went without making much of an impact. That's a shame because this is Tim Burton's best film since the '90s. He sort of steps away from his trademark look and style as he tells the story of Margaret Keane, an artist popular for paintings of children with big eyes. In the late ‘50s, she sued her husband Walter after he started to take credit for her work in order to sell the pieces she was producing as he felt a man's work would sell better than a women's. The film chronicles their meeting, his takeover of her work, and the eventual trial after she sued him. 

Margaret and Walter are played by Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz respectively – that alone should make you want to see this movie. These are two of the best working in Hollywood right now. Waltz brings a charm to Walter, who is sleazy, but at times is likable –  thanks to Waltz's great performance. Adams of course is stellar – in my opinion there's nothing she can't do. I always root for her and the character of Margaret is a great role for her. 

Adams and Waltz are the stars here. That's usually the case when it comes to a biopic. I do not usually like this genre. Most biopics are usually over the top and feel disingenuous. There are some exceptions though. While I don't put Big Eyes in the category of –“greatest biopics of all time,” I save that praise for films like Capote and Coal Miner's Daughter, I still think this film is solid and a great example pdf what the genre can be. Keane is an interesting person and her story is one people probably haven't heard. That's always the sign of a good biopic or historical film – One based off a largely unknown or not well known event.

Burton does not make this film look like his usual dark and dreamlike style. Instead, this film is colorful – by far his most colorfu. There are scenes in this film that look like they're from a painting. I wish Burton would do more films like this – not just consistenly rely on his usual visual style so much – which can be creative but which can also be distracting. 

I highly recommend tracking this one down and checking it out. Burton should do more biopics. Two of his best films, this and Ed Wood, are biopics and he seems to choose his subjects well. Only Burton could make a film about Ed Wood as it also seems only Burton could tell Margaret Keane's story. See some examples of her art below.