Whenever Tim Burton’s name is attached to a movie, curiosity drives me to want to check it out…
So it is with Burton’s latest outing, BIG EYES. And yet, but for the fact that it’s a true story I probably would have blown it off.
And a strange story it is…..
Set in the early 1970’s, a divorced woman named Margaret (Amy Adams) and her young daughter have moved to San Francisco in search of a new life. To support herself she paints kids’ portraits—the ones with the big eyes, remember?
That’s when con man Walter Keane (Christoph Waltz) enters her life, sweeps her off her feet, marries her and talks her into continuing the big eyes picture painting business.
All the while widely promoting the curious art pieces as his own!
Obviously there’s only so much Margaret can take as the big lie morphs into gigantic, domestic war games ending up in a courtroom battle of ridiculous proportions.
Making matters even worse, Walter refuses to be represented by a lawyer, acting instead as his own attorney.
Big mistake!
The more the trial progresses the flamboyant Walter continues to make an ass of himself in court and the more irritated the judge gets.
He finally makes both Mr. and Mrs. Keane paint a picture in the courtroom. Her’s, of course, turns out perfect. His? Well he tries his damnedest to weasel out of it and the world finally learns who REALLY was behind the ultra popular, somewhat kitschy art.
End of case.
BIG EYES is a strange melodrama with definite comedic salting.
Were it not blessed by its A-list cast and director, it could have easily fallen into the B-movie catagory.
As the film’s tag line suggests: “She created it. He sold it. And everyone bought it.”
The question remains whether this weird little cinematic creation will spark the fancy of moviegoers. Hey, at least it’s a true story.
BIG EYES rates a C+.
(Reviewed at Glenwood Arts Theatre)
JACK GOES TO THE MOVIES Friday mornings at 6:40 a.m. and 8:40 a.m. on 98.1 KMBZ and anytime on Facebook.
