The story is about a son trying to learn more about his dying father by reliving stories and myths his father told him about himself.
Directed by Tim Burton; Writing credits (WGA) Daniel Wallace (novel) John August (screenplay)
Starring Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, Helena Bonham Carter
It is so refreshing to watch an original and entertaining story. A proper story, where it doesn’t matter if it makes sense or not, and then that very concept woven into a clever, funny, and sad plot.
If you’ve seen the clips, then you may be expecting something a bit more extraordinary, and perhaps even, more funny, but I’d forgotten the clips until the moments cropped up in the films, so this didn’t bother me at all. My advice is; watch the film no matter what. And make all boring parents and old farts and head-teachers and accountants watch it; it might bring them just a little bit of spirit.
On the more mundane side; Ewan McGregor’s American accent was just fine, and luckily he didn’t’ smile too much (cringe at memories of Moulin Rouge). And Helena Bonham Carter dressed at a witch was great and the family scenes were effective without being sloppy-sentimental.