Big Fish (2004)
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77% of critics liked it
(213 reviews) -
86% of users liked it
(456,867 ratings)
Tim Burton directs the fantasy drama Big Fish, based on the book Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions by Southern writer/illustrator Daniel Wallace. Billy Crudup plays William Bloom, a young man who never really knew his dying father, Edward (Albert Finney) outside of the tall tales he told about… More Tim Burton directs the fantasy drama Big Fish, based on the book Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions by Southern writer/illustrator Daniel Wallace. Billy Crudup plays William Bloom, a young man who never really knew his dying father, Edward (Albert Finney) outside of the tall tales he told about growing up, making his way, and meeting his mother (played as a young woman by Alison Lohman and in older age by Jessica Lange). During Edward's last days, William and his wife Josephine (Marion Cotillard) hold bedside vigil as the old man recollects elaborate memories of his youth (in which he is played by Ewan McGregor). Still doubting the the legends and folklore, William makes a journey to meet a mysterious woman (Helena Bonham Carter) from whom Edward had bought property. Steve Buscemi and Danny De Vito also star. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi
- Directed By
- Tim Burton
- Written By
- John August
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Dec 10, 2003 Wide
- Studio
- Sony Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Geoff Andrew, Time Out
The film doesn't so much reject history as selectively rewrite it to its own reactionary, even offensive ends. This might perhaps be just about tolerable were the film funny, illuminating, insightful or moving. It is not.
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Peter Rainer, New York Magazine
Overall, the film feels like it issues from a place Burton doesn't inhabit.
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Burton shows the rivalry between father and son but not the rancor, which seems to fit with the film's calm lyricism. But the father-son conflict is meant as the dramatic crux, and a forceful actor would have given it some much-needed bite.
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Paul Clinton (CNN.com), CNN.com
A compelling look at the relationships between fathers and sons, and the child coming to terms with the parent's mortality.
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Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
A long-winded indulgence in tear-and-a-smile whimsy.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Ewan McGregor
as Ed Bloom (Young)
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Albert Finney
as Edward Bloom (senior)
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Billy Crudup
as William Bloom
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Jessica Lange
as Sandra Bloom (Senior)
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Helena Bonham Carter
as Jenny, Witch
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Alison Lohman
as Sandra Bloom (Young)
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Robert Guillaume
as Dr. Bennett (Senior)
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Marion Cotillard
as Josephine
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Matthew McGrory
as Karl the Giant
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David Denman
as Don Price (Age 18-22)
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Missi Pyle
as Mildred
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Loudon Wainwright III
as Beamen
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Ada Tai
as Ping
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Arlene Tai
as Jing
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Steve Buscemi
as Norther Winslow
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Danny DeVito
as Amos Calloway
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Billy Redden
as Banjo Man
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Deep Roy
as Mr. Soggybottom
- Fred Scialla
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Frank Hoyt Taylor
as Sharecropper
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Charles McLawhorn
as Mayor
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David Ramsey
as Townsfolk
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Jayne Morgan
as Townsfolk
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Joanne Pankow
as Heavy Set Nurse
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Alan Rawlins
as Pretty Man
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Bonnie Johnson
as Teller Woman
- Tom Tom
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Darrell Vanterpool
as Wilbur (Age 10)
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Daniel Wallace
as Econ Professor
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Karla Droege
as Ed's Mother
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Hailey Anne Nelson
as Jenny (Age 8)
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Grayson Stone
as Will Bloom (Age 6-8)
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Jake Brake
as Old Zacky
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Bevin Kaye
as River Woman
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Perry Walston
as Ed Bloom (Age 10)
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Edward Aldag
as Municipal Dump Owner
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Cathy Berry
as Lobster Woman
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Jeff Campbell
as Jump Leader
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Metz Duites
as Ventriloquist
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John Fugate
as Side Show Barker
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Trevor Gagnon
as Will's Son
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Zachary Gardner
as Zacky Price (Age 10)
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Zach Hanner
as Cashier
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R. Keith Harris
as Ed's Father
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Barry C. Harvard
as Chicken Plant Owner
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Sallie Hedrick
as Pretty Girl
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Russell Hodgkinson
as Some Farmer
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Greg Hohn
as Townsfolk
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Howard Houston Jr.
as Piano Student
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Joseph Humphrey
as Little Brave
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Savanna James
as Little Girl
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Morgan Grace Jarrett
as Will's Date
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George McArthur
as Colossus
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James DeForest Parker
as Shotgun Toter
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Jacob Radford
as Kid
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Michael Garnet Stewart
as Auctioneer
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Lawrence Sykkmon
as Chinese Emcee
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Karlos Walkes
as Dr. Bennett (Young)
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Vincent Ybiernas
as Asian Officer
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Don Young
as Shephard
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Miley Cyrus
as Ruthie (Age 8)
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Brandon Carroll
as Spectre
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John Lowell
as Don Price (Age 12)








