Tim Burton has slowed down in recent years, directing only a handful of films in the last 8 or 9 years. Big Eyes is his newest. While it does share some visual and stylistic similarities to his other works, it is in many ways a significant departure, and a well done one at that.
Big Eyes is the based-on-a-true story of Margaret Keane, portrayed here by Amy Adams. An artist who’s works became popular in the 1960’s, Keane’s paintings were credited to her husband Walter for many years. The movie begins with Margaret leaving her first husband and taking her daughter to San Francisco to make her way as an artist. She is struggling to sell portraits, and falls for the charms of Walter Keane, played here by Christoph Waltz, another artist who seems to know all the connections. When a customer one night mistakes him as the artist of Margaret’s works, he takes credit for them all. Cowing Margaret in to going along with it (what art lover would take a woman’s work seriously?), he builds an empire from her paintings.
It is a charming movie, with just enough of the trademark Burton silliness to keep it from getting too bleak during Margaret’s worst moments. It is a very endearing film, and you cheer for her to finally take a stand and claim her work as her own. Adams and Waltz are both spectacular.
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