Big Eyes - A different side to Burton

I think most of us who follow Tim Burton, know him best for his dark and Gothic work, full of twisting, ghostly trees, Johnny Depp and Danny Elfman scores.  Well, not much of that in ‘Big Eyes’ (oh, apart from the Danny Elfman score!).  In fact, much of Burton’s trademark ‘darkness’ isn’t very visible at all.  Normally, if I turned on the TV and a film was midway through featuring Helena Bonham Carter in a dark castle and spine-chilling music, I’d probably say that Tim Burton directed it.  However, if I came across Big Eyes halfway through, I’d probably be surprised when I saw the end credits roll and find Tim’s name attached.

It’s basically a straight drama which is based on the true account of a man who – quite cynically – ‘stole’ his wife’s painting career in the fifties and sixties when it was less common for a woman to be known for her artwork.  And, for much of it, it’s quite a hard watch.  Christoph Waltz plays the husband, who is quite happy to take all the fame, credit and money (surprise!) from his wife, while she does all the work.  Naturally, with a character like that in one of the lead roles, not many of us will find us exactly rooting for him.  Amy Adams is his long-suffering wife and, at first, does come across as a little too wistful, allowing herself to be exploited by this man for his own financial gain.  However, that’s the story – we follow as she slowly turns one corner after the other in her quest to rid herself of this artistic leach.

The performances are good, but Waltz’s character does come across a little too ‘cartoonish’ at times, almost being comedic when you probably wouldn’t be.

It’s hardly fast-paced, but then many of Burton’s films are (in fact... many have criticised him for his lack of ability to live up the pace of a film, even when it was demanded).  Big Eyes is the kind of film you need to be in as subdued mood as the principal cast to really enjoy it.  Don’t expect anything other than a straight (biographical) drama with no real thrills, spills, or twists and turns.  I won’t say anything about how it unfolds, but I think most of us will guess how it ends pretty soon after watching it.  It’s enjoyable enough if you’re in the mood for something slow and happy to let it gradually uplift you.

7/10 if I woke up on Groundhog Day and had to watch this again, I could live with that