The Windows to the Soul 👀

Big Eyes is the most down to earth movie directed by Tim Burton. Even though big eye paintings fit right in with his gothic ascetic. Despite their massive popularity in the 50’s and 60’s, I don’t recall ever seeing the paintings before the film was made. Nor did I know just how fantastic the story behind the paintings was. Margaret Keane painted portraits of sad waif children with abnormally big eyes. Though she was the painter, her husband Walter Keane took credit for her work. Despite being a collector of Keane art, Burton wasn’t involved in the beginning. Big Eyes was in development as early as 2007 with Kate Hudson and Thomas Haden Church in mind. When Burton became director, Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Reynolds were considered. Now I can’t picture anyone other than Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz.

Along with Lana Del Rey for Best Original Song, both actors were nominated for a Golden Globe, but Adams rightfully won Best Actress – Comedy or Musical. Big Eyes finds humor in its absurdity, but it proves how dramatic and mature Tim Burton can be. You can still see his style in bright suburban settings, dark shadows, and Margaret seeing people with freakish big eyes. Adams portrays Margaret as a timid artist and mother to her daughter Jane. She leaves her first husband and immediately marries fellow artist Walter. Waltz portrays the American Walter as a charismatic foreign salesman who wins Margaret’s affection. He tries to sell his Parisian landscapes and his wife’s big eye paintings, but the more attention the latter gets, the more he takes credit for her work.

Since female artists weren’t taken seriously, Margaret reluctantly goes along with the lie until it consumes her. Krysten Ritter is her only friend Dee-Ann who tries to support her. Danny Huston is reporter Dick Nolan who makes Keane famous. Jason Schwartzman is a gallery owner who turns Keane down until he becomes popular. Jon Polito is real life nightclub owner Enrico Banducci who first displays the paintings in hungry i. Terence Stamp is real life art critic John Canaday who chips away at Keane’s ego. When Walter becomes more abusive, Margaret finally gains the courage to leave. Though I’m not crazy about Jehovah’s Witnesses being involved, it does lead to an entertaining court case. Walter fumbles the case spectacularly and Margaret gets the credit she deserves when she paints in court. Big Eyes should be seen by every Burton fan.

Margaret Keane confronts Walter about her paintings