Big Fish (2003)

Big Fish is a whimsical, bittersweet drama that follows Will Bloom as he returns home to Alabama to see his dying father, Edward, one last time. The film alternates between the present-day tension of a fractured father–son relationship and lush, larger-than-life flashbacks of Edward’s unbelievable adventures—tall tales full of eccentric characters, strange encounters, and surreal moments that blur fantasy and reality. As Will tries to separate fact from fiction, the viewer is carried through a storytelling maze that explores memory, mortality, and the ways we shape our identities through the stories we tell. Watching the movie, you’ll experience a mix of wonder and melancholy: playful, adventurous sequences give way to tender, intimate scenes as Will pieces together the truth about his father and their shared past. The tone shifts smoothly between humor and heartbreak, culminating in a moving examination of love, legacy, and how imagination can be a form of truth. It’s a visually rich, emotionally resonant journey that asks whether understanding someone requires literal facts or the compassion to accept the myths that made them who they were.

Actors: Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup

Director: Tim Burton

Runtime: 125 min

Genres: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy

7.9 /10 58 /100 8.0 /10 7.2 /10