BIG EYES
Starring Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz
Directed by Tim Burton
Filmmaker Tim Burton’s recent movies are often associated with Johnny Depp in wacky costumes and big budget visual effects, but his latest effort is more akin to his earlier personal films like Ed Wood (which also happened to star his muse) and Big Fish.
Based on true events, Big Eyes chronicles the fascinating story of successful painter Margaret Keane (Adams), who rose to fame in the ‘60s with her popular portraits of “waifs with big eyes”, and the legal battle that ensued after her husband Walter (Waltz) claimed credit for her work.
It’s immediately refreshing to see the iconic director, known mainly for lavish visuals, tackle a purely character driven project.
The film may lack the granular detail that made Ed Wood so evocative, but the performances are downright powerful. Adams is stellar playing a woman struggling for independence in an era when most females had none, as she leaves her first husband only to be seduced by Walter’s charms, and eventually falls prey to his mounting abuse. Waltz has never been better as he slowly morphs from silver-tongued charmer to venomous snake and gradually becomes a delusional madman. The relationship dynamic at play is constantly intriguing; and the script from Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski moves the plot along nimbly.
Big Eyes’ tonal shifts dampen the impact of the film’s courtroom conclusion, when Walter’s madcap mannerisms become a little too comical, but the movie is a return to form for Burton, illustrating some eerily timely subject matter.
