Big Eyes

BIG EYES (2014)

directed by Tim Burton

[director filmography: Dark Shadows (2012), Alice in Wonderland (2010), Sweeney Todd (2007), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), Big Fish (2003), Planet of the Apes (2001), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Ed Wood (1994), Batman Returns (1992), Edward Scissorhands (1990), Batman (1989), Beetlejuice (1988)]

written by Scott Alexander [Man on the Moon (1999), The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996), Ed Wood (1994), The Problem Child movies], Larry Karaszewski [Man on the Moon (1999), The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996), Ed Wood (1994), The Problem Child movies]

starring Amy Adams [American Hustle (2013), Her (2013), Man of Steel (2013), The Master (2012), The Fighter (2010), Julie & Julia (2009), Doubt (2008), Enchanted (2007), Junebug (2005)], Christoph Waltz [Two-time Oscar winner for Best Supporting Actor in Inglourious Basterds & Django Unchained], Jason Schwartzman [The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), Moonrise Kingdom (2012), Marie Antoinette (2006), Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), Rushmore (1998)]

ENJOYMENT: **** (out of 5)

"Very entertaining"

This movie was great. I had seen these "Big Eyes" paintings around since I was a kid, but I never knew there was a backstory so enthralling and comical behind it. I didn't know that Margaret Keane rose from obscurity, that Mr. Keane was a sly con artist, and I didn't know that Mr. Keane was taking credit for Mrs. Keane's work the whole time. This film encapsulates the plight of women in the mid-20th century and how far we've come as a society since this time. The story of Keane screams out for Hollywood to jump and make a film about this, and it was as good as you'd expect based on the plot. Tim Burton did a wonderful job directing this film and was a nice homage to his innate storytelling abilities as he's diverted somewhat with his more fantastical, superficial films of late. This was more of an Ed Wood than anything else he's done in the last 20 years. As a side effect, Big Eyes was both aesthetically beautiful and epically told. Both Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz were at the top of their games, and it was clear why they get so much attention as actors. All in all, Big Eyes was a great film, beautifully told and expertly acted. 

OSCAR PREDICTIONS (I wrote this before the Oscar Nominations released this week): Amy Adams might be nominated for Best Actress. It's either her or Jennifer Aniston for Cake that will round off the group of five this year [note: it was actually neither; instead Marion Cotillard was surprisingly nominated for Two Days, One Night]. Christoph Waltz should a nomination for Best Actor, and in some years he might've, but this year is too full already for that category. Adams will not win even if she's nominated way. UPDATE: Amy Adams was not nominated, nor did the film get nominated for any other Oscars.

Other ratings: IMDB (7.2/10), Rotten Tomatoes (71%)