"Big Fish" With love in the imagination - a fairy tale in which the artist's "heart" dwells

Describing the “difference” between father and son, divided into present and past

Will (Billy Crudup) is unable to keep up with his father, Edward (Albert Finney), who only talks about tall tales, and becomes estranged from him. One day, Will receives news that his father has fallen ill and returns to his hometown. Will is fed up with his father, who is still the same even when he is in bed, but eventually he learns the "The Truth" hidden in the tall tales and his impression of him changes.

``Big Fish'' alternates between the ``present'' life of an elderly Edward and adult Will, and the ``past'' depicting the adventures of young Edward (Ewan McGregor). It is characterized by its calm colors and tones, while the latter is vividly and gorgeously colored. Director Burton transposes the differences between father and son into eras such as ``present'' and ``past,'' presenting the film with such contrast that you might think it's a different movie.

However, as the emotional distance between father and son grows closer, the ``differences'' in the way they are portrayed begin to melt away, and the colors become brighter and the tone of the story becomes gentler. The way the work itself changes into a hybrid that incorporates the strengths of both characters in conjunction with the relationships between the characters is truly outstanding. Director Burton avoided using digital effects as much as possible, using traditional techniques such as perspective, animatronics, and specially constructed costumes to film the fairy tale parts, although he did use some color correction. It is said that great care was taken to create a sense of warmth and texture.

"Big Fish" trailer

Also, the beautiful part of this work is that although the son and father may have different feelings, they fundamentally love each other. The difference between the son, who wants to be treated honestly, and the father, who wants to show him his dreams, has created a distance between them, but they share the same feeling that they value each other. Father is father, son is son. The two are still ``parent and child'' no matter how far they go, which creates a dilemma. This is because, even if they don't say it out loud, they both have a desire to "understand" each other. That's why the relationship between the two will never be severed even if they become estranged.

In other words, this movie depicts the ``opportunity'' to regain ties. Both ends are something that the father and son have never let go of until today. Because there are feelings that are hard to break, there is always a ``hope'' that if you can sort out your feelings, your relationship will quickly sublimate to a good relationship. To begin with, Will himself loved stories about his father when he was a child.

There are many masterpieces that depict the changes in the relationship with an eccentric father, such as `` Beginners '' (10), ` `Tree of Life ' ' (11), and ``Life is Beautiful'' (1997), but this work also stands out. It's also heartwarming to see how Burton uses the fantastical "play" that is typical of director Burton, while presenting a "compromise" solution. Being fascinated by her father's fairy tales and falling in love with them is the shortcut to reconciliation. In other words, ultimately the son just understands and likes his father.

“Beginners” preview

When the father learns that his father, who lives only in a world of fantasy, is not just a carefree person, but lives with a sincere belief that ``I tell stories when reality doesn't change,'' the worlds that father and son live in become one. In this way, the son also tries to carry on his father's legacy. War, reconstruction, poverty, work... His father, Edward, was caught up in the dark side of the times, and there must have been many aspects of his life that he was unable to do anything about. That's why he "alters" his past in a funny way. By doing so, you can brighten up your past, and above all, you won't have to show your dark side to your family. The fairy tales a father tells his son are the greatest act of kindness.

It is also interesting that as Will becomes a father, he gets closer to the depths of Edward. Director Hirokazu Kore-eda's `` And Becomes a Father '' (2013) also explores the change in his state of mind that occurred as a result of becoming a father, but this film also explores the ``fatherhood'' that occurred around director Burton. 'The death of a child, the birth of a child' overlaps with the story, giving it a rich sensitivity.

Creating a “place to belong” through film: commonality with Guillermo del Toro