After being seriously disappointed by, well, every Burton movie since Sleepy Hollow, I had some serious expectations for Big Eyes. There was just so much potential, with the convoluted relationship between art and success and an a personal connection with the subject (Burton is a collector of Keane's art). I had no idea what to expect before watching this film. Amy Adams delivers her best performance as always. At times she was vulnerable and desperate, at times she was empowered and at other stages of her life you got to see a deep sense of compromised pride rivaled by her desire to maintain her family unit. I was glued to the screen by the fascinating story and the fantastic cast, as well as Burton's artistic influence.
Freshly colored with an array of set pieces, this is one of Burton's most aesthetically pleasing films of his career. Danny Elfman's score is the signature touch that we await in all of Burton's works. It's subtle yet apparent in nearly all the right ways. Same goes for the stunning costume work by Colleen Atwood, a strong contender for another Academy Award nomination.
