Cinematic Releases: Big Eyes

Amy Adams flaunts her chops all over Big Eyes. 

"What do you mean?
Never heard of me?
I'm that creepy guy. Remember?"

After numerous years of repeating himself, director Tim Burton finally sheds the gothic and fantastical tones that he's relegated himself to with the true life story of Margaret Keane. Unlike most of his work of the past twenty years, Burton finally comes full circle by proving he's not a one trick pony. With the right materials and talented actors that know how to work magic with a script, Burton once again poises himself as a viable creative force. 

Big Eyes is the convincing and realistic portrayal of Keane's artistic vision, her terrible marriages, and the legal troubles that ensued due to her premeditating con artist husband, Walter Keane. As a film that takes place in real life, Burton delivers a rounded cinematic effort that only stumbles into melodrama a couple times. Big Eyes introduces viewers to Keane's magnificent work while telling audiences about her long struggle to finally be recognized by the art community and the world at large. 

Having no idea of Margaret's story, Big Eyes is an enjoyable and thoroughly entertaining portrait of the artist's life that definitely held my attention from beginning to end. With Amy Adam's impassioned dramatic chops at the forefront and the always stirring Christoph Waltz playing up the creep factor, Big Eyes is a great way to kick off 2015. Both lead actors play off each other with a subtlety and grace that feels natural, not forced, and is undeniably charismatic. 

Waltz is always fascinating when given the role of a schemer, a social pariah, or a master manipulator. With Big Eyes, Waltz is on fire with one of the best roles of his career. His time spent as the annoying and self serving Walter Keane further proves that he's not going anywhere. Waltz has been given a gift that allows him to continually play deplorable human beings with absolute perfection as his domestic career continues to evolve. Paired with the always effective Amy Adams, Big Eyes shines in areas where most real life stories fail. 

"I'm so talented. I can paint
while looking the other way."

The perfect duo of Adams and Waltz mixed with a rejuvenated Burton looks and feels like a concisely timed return to form for a director that became set in his ways. Tim Burton finally redeems the repeated offenses of his last few years with a film that has a substantial reality based story and a clear message. It's easy to see that Tim Burton wanted to escape the trappings of his standard fare and wanted to remind people that he's still a creative individual with something to prove. With Big Eyes, he does just that. 

The similarities between the film's story and Burton's need to liberate himself from his typical trappings are quite apparent. If you're looking to see a movie that reintroduces Tim Burton to the cinematic world, check out Big Eyes. It's the best thing he's done since Ed Wood. 



-CG