***contains spoilers*** I read the book and the movie was even better! I liked Big Fish because it's one of those stories where you make up the ending. you could say that Will finally understood his father's love of storytelling, and thats who he was, or you could say the ending was a made up story and Edward's stoires were all lies. I just loved it! There is nudity, but you couldn't possibly be offended by it, none of it being sexual in any manner. and there are some kids who cuss, which I was suprised by but hey life happens. i think this movie is even more memorable than Forrest Gump. Full of inspirational quotes. I highly recomend it for elven and up!
Big Fish
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
Delightful, sad father-son story for teens and up.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 12 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
-
Violence:
-
Sex:
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Big Fish was written by Nell Minow
Parents need to know that this movie has brief nudity, mild language, and fantasy peril. Sensitive kids may be upset by the death of a parent.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about some of their favorite stories -- factual and fictional. Who tells the best tall tales in the family?
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on Big Fish
What’s the Story?
Will (Billy Crudup) believes that his father Edward (Albert Finney) has used his embellished tales to hide his true self. After he steals the show at Will's wedding with a story about trying to capture a legendary big fish, Will cuts off communications with his dad, maintaining contact only through his mother (Jessica Lange). Will and his wife move far away, and Will becomes a fact-based journalist. When he learns that his father is dying, he comes home to try one more time to know what is true, to feel that he really knows his father. Once again, Edward tells a story from his past. We see young Edward (Ewan McGregor) leaving home in search of adventure. He finds a giant, a witch, a werewolf, a town where no one wears shoes, a highly unusual singing sister act, and the love of his life, Sandra (Alison Lohman), who is engaged to someone else.
Is It Any Good?
Big Fish is the enchanting story of a father and son, but it's really the story of stories themselves. It's about all kinds of stories, from the first stories whispered by a father to a sleepy child to the stories a son tells his father to comfort him as he nears death. Facts are fine, but some truths can only be told by fiction, and this movie tells a captivating tale that is a delight for the eye, the heart, and the spirit.
Director Tim Burton, like Edward, believes that it's the fantastic that deserves our attention more than the mundane. The ravishing images are marvels, but it's the heart of the stories that captivate, especially when it all comes together at the end in a moving conclusion filled with connection, understanding, and forgiveness.
Movie Details
Studio: Columbia Tristar, Director: Tim Burton
Run time: 125 minutes
Theatrical release: 12/10/2003, DVD release: 4/27/2004
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for a fight scene, some images of nudity and a suggestive reference
Run time: 125 minutes
Theatrical release: 12/10/2003, DVD release: 4/27/2004
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for a fight scene, some images of nudity and a suggestive reference
Our Members Say
See all 21 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
-
I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My highlights are:
oh god, the end made me cry...
-
I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
:)
One of m favorite movies... Great Movie...
-
-
I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
Metaphorically Speaking...
This movie is probably the nest explanation of a metaphor a kid could ever get. Edward's whole life, he has told his true stories through slightly exaggerated metaphors. I think it sends a great message of the power of love between a man and woman, and of the importance of trust between father and son. It is a great movie to see with your children, and you will have a lot to talk about afterwards.
-
I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
Incredible
Incredible and creative this movie is awesome. You do briefly twice see a woman's bare bottom.
-
I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
awesome... :)
I LOVE this movie!! tim burton is a genius! I don't like fantasy movies,but I love this one... it's awesome... fantastic...amazinG!
-
I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
Weird but entertaining
It's Tim Burton, so of course it's going to be weird but this is a really entertaining if odd story that is great for families with kids 12 and up. Lots to discuss here--the father/son dynamic, the stories we tell, the use of imagination, etc. Kids may have a hard time with the blurred line between fantasy and reality here, but that just gives you somethingelse to discuss together.
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Incredible!
Tim Burton is a genius. His imagination is never-ending. I enjoyed this movie so much. There is some sexual references and brief nudity but nothing too explicit. Some language but it didn't make the movie less enjoyable. I recommend this movie to anyone.
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
This is by far one of the most moving and beautiful movies that I have seen in my life. It tells, to put it briefly, the tale of a son coming to terms with his dad, and how sometimes the legend is more important than the straight facts. The most moving scene comes at the end, when the son goes to his father's funeral, and finds that, after all, the tales that are recounted throughout the movie are true. There are the twins, though not Siamese, the giant, though perhaps not quite so tall as he imagined, and all of the other characters, major or minor, "real" or imagined. This is movie-making at its finest.
-
I rate this title pause for age 13 and give it
I like make-you-think movies
If you enjoy movies like "What Dreams May Come" you'll like this flick. Artsy and a little esoteric, and charged with 'deeper meaning.' I loved it. I especially enjoyed the relationship between the husband and wife--some people do stay in love and faithful forever.
I wouldn't take kids to see it--mostly because I don't think they would be too interested. Even teenagers might not have patience with it if they aren't into mythic or allegorical stuff.
The movie explores everything from family relationships, to oral tradition, to reaching for your dreams, to forgiveness and tolerance. Don't waste time trying to 'figure it out'--just allow yourself to enjoy it the first time around--then see it a second time to get it all the details straight.
With the exception of Danny Devitos bare bottom--there is very little offensive material in this, which is refreshing. 2 Thumbs up!
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Tim Burton almost normal
This is a charming movie, a bit disorienting and unfocused, but Ewan McGregor is fantastic and the character interactions greatly appealing. This movie lacks the edge that many of Burton's other movies contain, but this doesn't by any means take away from the story. The plot is pretty difficult to explain, but it's a great movie for teens and adults. I don't think younger children would really understand it, although they might simply enjoy the many stories told. This movie is touching and funny.
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
brief nudity
I love this movie, I love the stories they tell in the movie. I think its a great movie for everyone to go see, kids under 7 might not be interested in it, some cuss words and brief nudity(dont look). My relative is in this movie, shes the little he meets girl when he goes through the forest, she throws his shoes when he leaves.
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Can i give it more than five stars?
I loved this movie. It was amazing, thought provoking. Tim Burton is my favorite director, and this is my favorite by him. I loved this movie, and the last scene is beautiful. I don't want to give anything away, but i will say that thi movie was truely amazing!
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
An Imaginative and Fun Fairy Tale
I love Tim Burton, and Big Fish may just be my favorite movie of his. It's a great mix of fantasy and humor with a heart. As far as content goes, well, it shows Danny DeVito's butt. That was fairly disturbing. Besides that there's not much objectionable content.
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Compelling Drama.
i really liked this movie surprisingly since many people whom I know that have saw it said it was dumb but I amazed at how origional imaginative, and thought provoking it was. Some dissapointing nudity but since none of it was sexual this could be one PG-13 movie tweens could see.
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Burton at his best.
I love Tim Burton and proud to say it is his best since Ed Wood. The cast excells and the direction, music score and Cinematography are excellent. The movie really makes you think and the script is great too. Amazing.
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
I liked it so much I bought it
This movie is wonderful. There is a little language, kids saying the s word and the d word. Other than that it is great. I would have given it a PG rating
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
a bit odd but thats what makes it original! :D
ok this movie is pretty weird. but i liked it. its sweet and... just cool in its own little way. big fish is not like your ordinary movie and thats wat i like about it. and ewan makes it all the more cool too. :P id say ages 8 up
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inOur Members Rate It
Ratings at a Glance
| 50% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
Have you seen it?
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
tealsweety recommends:
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
for kids age 12
See more from tealsweety
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
for kids age 12
See more from tealsweety
