US
Drama
Feature Film
2003

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The classic reconciliation story with a twist is pretty much how I'll describe Big Fish. Father and Son become estranged, Son gets the "Father is on deathbed" call, Son returns home and they mend their fences just before Father passes on.

The twist: a huge element of fantasy.

Edward (the Father), has told Will (the son) all sorts of fantastical tales about his life, none of which Will could ever believe were the truth. In fact, Will has his own story for why his father was never home, a version that allows him to manage the hurt his father unintentionally inflicted upon him.

Will comes to learn that while the stories are indeed embellished, they are laced with a healthy dose of truth. In the end, Will embraces his father's storytelling bent in order to help dad pass on peacefully. At the funeral, Will meet the characters of his father's life -- they're all there, and Will can finally see how many people his father touched in his journeys.

Tim Burton doesn't spoil the story with a heavy handed touch. Big Fish avoids an overdramatic, fist-waving "why, dad!?" approach, in favor of a more vulnerable, little-boy-hurt emotion. And it certainly tugged on the heartstrings for the last thirty minutes as the inevitably approaches and the story comes to a quite satisfying conclusion.

Grab some popcorn, a few hankies, and watch Big Fish.