 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Big Fish
- Review Date: May 2, 2004
- PG-13
- Genre: Fantasy
- 2003
Common Sense Media says
Delightful, sad father-son story for teens and up.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
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.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about some of their favorite stories -- factual and fictional. Who tells the best tall tales in the family?
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AGE
This movie is INCREDIBLE! Tim Burton is at his best, it is just soo good! It's imaginative, dark, beautiful and touching all at the same time, a tale of love, death, fantasy, and everything else! It's great, but there is some brief backside nudity on a female, some mild swearing (nothing to worry about) and some violence which could be scary to littlies. An imaginative yet mature fantasy film with a great cast including Ewan McGregor and Marion Cotillard, I LOVE THIS MOVIE, and many other people with a similar interest in films should too!
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AGE
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.
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AGE
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.
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AGE
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!
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AGE
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.
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AGE
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!
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AGE
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!
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| Studio: | Columbia Tristar |
| Director: | Tim Burton |
| Cast: | Albert Finney, Ewan McGregor, Jessica Lange |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Run time: | 125 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 10, 2003 |
| DVD release date: | April 27, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | a fight scene, some images of nudity and a suggestive reference |
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