If there is anyone who understands the makings of a Husband-Wife Team, that would be the Visionary Tim Burton himself, having harmoniously collaborated for many years with Wife and Muse, Helena Bonham-Carter. His latest effort, BIG EYES tells a different kind of a domestic Tale, focusing largely on the battle-embroiled marriage between Walter and Margaret Keane. The Couple whom artistically were at the pinnacle of their success in the ’60s, pulled-off a sham which would fool the World.
Margaret (Amy Adams), the true Artist behind what would become the phenomenon of big-eyed child paintings, gets no recognition for her work as Walter (Christoph Waltz) usurps the title of Artist after successfully having these paintings placed on display at a popular Jazz Club. Publicity spirals as Walter gets into an altercation with the Club Owner and before he knows it, he is appearing on Celebrity Gossip Columns and National Television, as the Public clamours for access to what truly is Margaret‘s work. After being forced to conceal the truth about the authorship of these Paintings, Margaret finds herself fighting to convince the Public and the Court that she in fact is the Artist behind her own work.
While BIG EYES quietly is beginning its Awards Season trail, its release couldn’t come at a better time as the Best Actress race still is a wide-open affair. Adams is superb as the cautious and increasingly-muted Margaret, extolling that one’s dignity, virtue and commitment to her Family. Adams embodies Margaret’s persistence and although her marriage more and more appears loveless, the true marriage here is between her and her Art. Waltz is devilishly-villainous as Walter, more in a marriage with fame and fortune than Margaret herself. Krysten Ritter despite being a familiar face, is a fresh presence on the Big Screen as Confidante DeeAnn, helping us see Margaret’s loss of self as her marriage crumbles.
For a Film which centers on Art, Art Direction is a pivotal point and under Burton’s masterful eye, we get an authentic slice of California in the ‘60s – pastels and palm trees. And although we never quite get as deep into Margaret’s tormented emotional struggle and it might appear at times feel the complexity of Walter and Margaret‘s relationship is over-simplified, BIG EYES culminates in a funnier-than-imagined experience as its two Leads make what appears an outlandish situation rather believable!
eOne Films release BIG EYES on Christmas Day.
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