Big Eyes

Tim Burton's latest film Big Eyes is the true story of Margaret and Walter Keane and the famous Big Eyes paintings. This is the first time since Ed Wood 20 years ago that Burton is directing a biopic and the first time in years that neither Helena Bonham Carter nor Johnny Depp are involved in the project.

Starring Amy Adams as Margaret and Christoph Waltz as Walter Keane, Big Eyes is the story of how Margaret, a single divorced mom in the later '50s with a remarkable painting talent, meets and marries Walter Keane, a not so succesfull painter who takes advantage of her, by taking credit of her work that is recognized and loved by the American audience. After years of psychological abuse, she finds the courage to leave him and later on sues him for slander.

Big Eyes is a film very much based on the strong performances by both leading actors. Adams gives a fragile performance and captures perfectly the sentiments and the frustration of a woman trapped in a lie. Waltz on the other hand, I have to admit, I had mixed feelings on his performance. I feel that despite the fact that he captured perfectly this unique character, he was pulling yet another Waltz: I did not see a performance that different from Django or Inglourious Basterds... It feels that his style is always the same. Nevertheless, he captured Keane very well.

What I felt that was missing from this film was the Burton touch. Of course the colors and cinematography were very much Burton-y, but I missed the Burton twist.... Perhaps he felt restricted from the biopic subject..

Nominated for three Golden Globes (Best Actress Drama, Best Actor Drama, Best Original Song for Lana Del Rey's Big Eyes) and two BAFTAs, we will have to wait for tonight to see whether Adam's performance will beat Helen Mirren, whether Waltz will have a chance opposite Fiennes and Keaton and whether my beloved Lana will beat John Legend and Lorde!