Big Fish

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, Danny DeVito

Directed by: Tim Burton

RS: 4of 4 Stars

2003 Drama

An undervalued film proves its worth on a gorgeously produced DVD that rewards repeated viewings. And the bonus features are eye-openers. For example, the scene above features real daffodils, shipped in for one quick moment between lovers (Ewan McGregor and Alison Lohman). Why not show off with computers? "You can tell the difference," says Tim Burton, who uses CGI only when necessary. If Burton can put a real car in a tree, he will. It's all in the concrete service of a beautifully acted fable about a son (Billy Crudup) coming to terms with his dying father, Edward Bloom (Albert Finney), a lifelong teller of tall tales. The tension between fantasy and reality drives the story as the young Edward (McGregor) sets out to find a world wider than his small Alabama town. A witch, a giant, a mermaid and Siamese twins (Ada and Arlene Tai) figure in the action, but it's the emotions that cut to the heart. Burton's audio commentary doesn't add much -- he's a visionary, not a wordsmith -- but like Edward tells his journalist son, words provide "all of the facts, none of the flavor." Big Fish has flavor to spare.

PETER TRAVERS
(RS 948, May13, 2004)