Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Review of BIG EYES: Domestic Denigration

March 4, 2015


"Big Eyes" was nominated under Comedy & Musical category during the last Golden Globe Awards. Lead actress Amy Adams even won the Best Actress prize for starring in it. While I was watching this film though, it turned out to be furthest from what I had in mind for a comedy. The topic of this film was actually disturbing and depressing. However, being a Tim Burton film, there was certainly dark humor to be had.

This film is a biopic of 1950s novelty pop artist Margaret Keane (formerly Ulbrich, nee Hawkins). She developed a series of haunting acrylic paintings of kids with big dark round eyes. Walter Keane, her rascal salesman of a husband, took advantage of the rising popularity of her paintings. He claimed and mass-marketed them as his own. 

Meanwhile, timid Margaret was forced to conform to his web of lies. She was locked in her workroom in their home to paint even more Big Eyes, away from the prying eyes of the public, and even her own daughter. Will Margaret be able to break free from the prison she has trapped herself into?

Amy Adams quietly carried this film capably on her shoulders. There was nothing funny about what she had to do here as Margaret. Her character was the victim of a most cruel crime. Her husband stole not only her art, but also her confidence, and her very freedom. Adams played a weak character, but as an actress, Adams was anything but. With her wise underplaying, Adams successfully won our empathy and compassion for her difficult plight.

Christoph Waltz, on the other hand, was over-the-top, one-dimensional, practically cartoonish, as the manipulative con-man Walter. From his very first scene, you already knew this smooth-talking guy was up to no good. Up to his very last scene in that courtroom, Waltz's Walter was a manic caricature, never really coming across as a real person at all. This may well Tim Burton's direction in play, as this character Walter was the source of most of this film's black humor. Waltz's fiery interaction with Terence Stamp's harsh NY Times art critic character is most memorable as well.

This film's narrative was simple and straightforward. Yet because of Amy Adams' riveting and heart-rending performance, we will be held until the compelling end. The technical aspects of the film, particularly the pastel color palette of the photography, as well as the period production design, costumes and makeup, all contribute to the overall charming look and nostalgic feel of the film as a whole. 7/10.



23 comments:

  1. Love your blog .. Great work dear thanks for sharing :)
    Makeupoholics

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  2. Thanks for explaining this to me I was a little confused about what the movie was about. I was having a hard time deciding whether or not I wanted to see it

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  3. Big Eyes sounds new to me! Will definitely check this one out soon!

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  4. Amy Adams have come a long way from her acting career. She's indeed an inspiring person, at least for me, who worked hard in her acting skills and do what she do best when opportunities present themselves!

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  5. I love Tim Burton movies. This movie is really interesting. I got to see this.

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  6. You are one of those few bloggers who is niche specific. Your review of this film capture one attention to like watch it.

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  7. oh, sounds like a very simple plot, yet interesting! haven't seen this around in my local cinemas yet. i hope i will get to watch it!

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  8. This is one movie that I have been looking forward to seeing, and after reading your review, I cannot WAIT! Amy Adams is one of my favorite actresses of all time!

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  9. Amy Adams is a wonderful actress - can't say I am a huge fan of Tim Burton films, always so dark... even Charlie and the Chocolate Factory which is one of my favourite childhood films (Gene Wilder original!) doubt this is something I would watch - as always though, love reading your film reviews... you are my personal film reviewer! :)

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    1. Thank you. Yes, Burton's humor is so dark, it is an acquired taste. It did not really go too well for Charlie in my opinion as well.

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  10. Haven't heard of this until reading this post. Didn't much encourage me to watch, but somehow provoked my curiosity. :D

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  11. i haven't heard of this. ill be talking about this at work tomorrow

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  12. This is a movie that I really look forward to watching. hadn't heard of it till I read your review :)

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  13. Amy Adams is truly a best actress, we used to watch her Disney movies. I find this one interesting.

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  14. Looks like Amy Adams carried this movie with her performance. I got to watch this.

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  15. I've never seen Amy Adams play a pitiful character, so watching this would give me a different impression of her. looking forward to the great sets though!

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  16. I am very interest for a film which portrays the life of a person who has an exemplary achievement. This film is biopic gets me to be on guard to watch it. I will and see for myself the greatness of this movie.

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  17. I like your honest review bro. Gonna watch the film sana but have second thoughts, reading this passage of yours.
    "While I was watching this film though, it turned out to be furthest from what I had in mind for a comedy. The topic of this film was actually disturbing and depressing. However, being a Tim Burton film, there was certainly dark humor to be had."

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  18. This is one movie I plan to see. Tim always delivers on the goods in his movies. Plus, the storyline is very appealing. Good job!

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  19. Tim Burton is indeed know for his black sense of humor and unique vision, his movies always come out as masterpieces, and I love his inimitable approach of rendering human fates.

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  20. I've always wanted to watch this movie because I'm such a big fan of Amy Adams! :D

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  21. Wow, a Tim Burton movie! Can't wait to check this out myself.

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  22. I didn't know Big Eyes has so much depth. A few days ago I wasn't sure if I should watch it, but now I know I should see the film. Thanks for the review! :)

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