Common Sense Media Review
Delightful, sad father-son story for teens and up.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
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Big Fish
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 15 parent reviews
Parents say the film offers a complex portrayal of father-son relationships, mixing whimsical storytelling with darker themes of gaslighting and emotional manipulation, leading to divisive opinions among viewers. Some laud its heartfelt nature and metaphorical messages about love and trust, while others criticize it for normalizing abusive behavior and warn that it may not be suitable for younger audiences due to its mature content and emotional depth.
- complex relationships
- emotional manipulation
- metaphorical storytelling
- mixed reviews
- not for children
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 48 kid reviews
Kids say that the movie is a heartwarming tale about a father-son relationship filled with imaginative stories, but some viewers found elements like nudity, swearing, and violence off-putting. While many enjoyed its thematic depth and creativity, others felt misled by its description and were surprised by the inclusion of more mature content, ultimately leading to mixed feelings overall.
- family dynamics
- imaginative storytelling
- mixed reviews
- mature content
- emotional depth
Summarized with AI
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about some of their favorite stories -- factual and fictional. Who tells the best tall tales in the family?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 10, 2003
- On DVD or streaming : April 27, 2004
- Cast : Albert Finney , Ewan McGregor , Jessica Lange
- Director : Tim Burton
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Columbia Tristar
- Genre : Fantasy
- Run time : 125 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : a fight scene, some images of nudity and a suggestive reference
- Last updated : November 6, 2025
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