Big Eyes

Big Eyes is a biographical movie from 2014 about the life and career of artist Margaret Keane. The movie is directed by Tim Burton and stars Amy Adams as Margaret and Christoph Waltz as Walter Keane, Margaret's husband and business partner.

The movie takes place in the 1960s and follows Margaret as she moves to San Francisco to start a new life as an artist with her young daughter in tow. She is a talented painter who specializes in portraits of children with striking, oversized eyes. She meets Walter at an art fair and is swept off her feet by his charisma and charm. He convinces her to let him sell her paintings under his name, claiming that the market is not yet ready for a female artist. Walter becomes the face of the paintings, and the couple quickly becomes famous and incredibly wealthy. However, as the years go by, Margaret begins to feel trapped and unappreciated, while Walter's behavior becomes increasingly erratic and abusive.

The movie excels at portraying the eerie and unsettling world of Margaret's paintings. The children's eyes, while initially charming and whimsical, quickly become haunting and oppressive, mirroring Margaret's internal struggle to regain control of her life and her art. The movie also highlights the stark contrast between Margaret and Walter's personalities. Margaret is meek and shy, while Walter is outgoing and confident. However, their roles are reversed when it comes to their art; Margaret is passionate and dedicated to her paintings, while Walter is content to bask in the limelight and take credit for her work.

Amy Adams delivers an outstanding performance as Margaret, capturing both her vulnerability and her strength. Christoph Waltz is equally impressive as Walter, playing the character with a magnetic energy that is both captivating and terrifying. The supporting cast is also excellent, with Danny Huston playing an art critic who becomes obsessed with the Keane paintings and Krysten Ritter as Margaret's best friend.

The movie does a great job of balancing the different themes of the story. It explores the relationship between Margaret and Walter, their rise to fame, and the subsequent legal battle over the authorship of the paintings. It also delves into the gender politics of the art world in the 1960s, highlighting the challenges faced by female artists at the time. Finally, the movie examines the nature of art and the idea of what makes something truly unique and original.

Overall, Big Eyes is a powerful and engaging movie that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. It is a story about the sacrifices we make for our dreams, the price of fame, and the importance of authenticity in art. Tim Burton's direction, combined with the excellent performances by Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz, make it a must-see for any fan of biographical drama.