Movies That Make Us

Welcome back to another week at Movies that Make Us and we take a look at the underrated Tim Burton film Big Fish. Based on the book with the same title by Daniel Wallace, the film tells the story of a frustrated son who tries to distinguish fact from fiction in his dying father’s life. Starring Ewan McGregor, Danny DeVito, Steve Buscemi, Albert Finney, Helena Bonham Carter, and Albert Finney. A southern gothic fairy tale, it is a film about the reconciliation between a father and son. Screenwriter John August identified with Will's character and adapted it after himself. In college, August's father died, and like Will, August had attempted to get to know him before his death, but found it difficult. Like Will, August had studied journalism and was 28 years old. In the film, Will says of Edward, "I didn't see anything of myself in my father, and I don't think he saw anything of himself in me. We were like strangers who knew each other very well.”What do you think of Big Fish? We want your feedback, so be