The film is based on an incredible true story of Margaret Keane (Amy Adams) the creator of the Big Eyes painting phenomenon. For a decade her domineering husband Walter (Christoph Waltz) took credit for the paintings as he also had the gift of gab and can sell them. They market the paintings, posters, post cards etc. Eventually Margaret can no longer live with the lie, as this ends in a comical court room scene.In addition to being a story of the painting, it is one of the male dominated society and over coming the obedience idea in the name of honesty. This is a subdued Amy Adams and not the sexpot we saw in "American Hustle." The acting was good, but I felt the film was just short of an Oscar nod.Guide: F-bomb. No sex or nudity.

"Big Eyes" tells the real-life story of painter Margaret Keane and how she was trapped by a marriage in the worst way: She was stripped of her name and artistic identity through her husband's lies. Tim Burton previously made one of the best films about the artistic struggle with "Ed Wood" and he touches upon similar themes here. Like how "Ed Wood" flips the traditional artistic biopic formula on its head, "Big Eyes" is cleverly inverted here: Instead of portraying the joy of art, the film takes on the trappings of a psychological thriller with Amy Adams's constantly on the precipice of losing everything through the unraveling of a single lie.The film is a departure from Tim Burton's usual Gothic style but it has shadings of the characters he's drawn to in both Walter and Amy. They're both outsiders who respond to their distance to the mainstream art world in different ways. In this way, this is a much more adult work than say "Corpse Bride" or "Alice in Wonderland." The film is egregiously mislabelled as a comedy by organizations such as the Golden Globes (and even some of the other IMDb reviews). The closest it comes to comedic is Walter Keane's sense of self-delusion. That characterization, however, is an important plot point, and ignoring that is a sign that perhaps Burton's reputation prevents the film from being taken as seriously as it should.

As I am about to express my artistic review creation (or there, lack of) of the movie "Big Eyes", I must inform you that this "Big Eyes" review has plenty of cornea puns; I mean corny puns. See what I mean! OK, this Tim Burton directed movie is based on the incredible true story of painter Margaret Keane, who in the 60's painted popular paintings of sad children with big eyes. However, the eyeroller here is that her emotionally abusive husband Walter Keane was taking credit for the paintings, and no one was aware that is was Margaret who was the true artist. I am glad that Burton hid his grandiose castles and imaginary worlds this time around, and decided to go back to the passionate authentic human element as he did with "Ed Wood". So yea, nice job Tim. Moreover, we get a solid screenplay from legendary movie scripters Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski. Amy Adams' big performance as Margaret was something for your eyes to see, and Christoph Waltz' work as Water was no fake work. We also get some good supporting work from Danny Huston, Terence Stamp, Jason Schwartzman, and Krysten Ritter. So therefore, I think you should give some Keane awareness to "Big Eyes". **** Good

Big Eyes is in a way reflective of a feeling every artist goes through when someone else steals credit for their work. It is a crime that Walter Keane, played superbly by Christoph Waltz, commits without batting an eye and Margaret Keane, portrayed by Amy Adams, endures for the better half of her life. Screenplay coming from Walter Keane is very reassuring as he inspires Margaret to not underestimate herself, and drops soothing lines to make her believe she is gifted."You shouldn't sell yourself so cheap. Your heart's in your work." BREAKING DOWN THE FLICK Music is endearing and so is its editing. Has a constant charming pace that keeps everything strung well in place. Tim Burton's intelligent style of film-making can be read through his thoughtful frames that occasionally drop off humorous subtleties to make things alluring and delectable.The paintings of Big Eyes have a telling veracity that is told my numerous stunningly drawn children with their beady eyes. As Margaret expounds:"Eyes are windows to the soul." Big Eyes beautifully captures the struggle one had to go through in order to be seen. Even though art was revered profusely, beginnings were still as relentless as baby steps of any creative profession.SPOILER PAINTINGS AHEAD: Christoph Waltz does a fabulous job as he tries to convince the whole world of his lie. It is hard to see through him. He is that good! Hell, he convinces you in the very beginning that he is for real. It is kind of a slow reveal when you start guessing his ugly facade.MARGARET'S SILENT SUFFERING At times you can't help but feel sorry for Margaret and wonder why she doesn't revolt. Trying to look at things from her perspective you realize she was pretty meek and weak. Also, he had a smooth talker for a husband who would always bring her around, probably why she was always in a constant dubitation. Also, there was moolah being pressed out on a regular basis; one of the major reasons for her mum.You might wonder, despite the conning, Margaret does fairly well for herself, with a lie that helps both parties entailed. But for an artist who is fond of one's work, money is always secondary. It is pride that matters the most, which Walter exploits profusely.The fact Tim Burton doesn't toy with the flick to make the biopic darker will compel you to raise brows. Dramatic elements don't induce gut-wrenching feels which could be a downside to Big Eyes. But it does fairly well walking on its pleasant and bewitching theme to manifest eclipsed art and an engaging tale in its truest form.Read all my reviews here: http://straightfromamovie.com