Review: Big Eyes (2014); directed by Tim Burton

8 Responses to Review: Big Eyes (2014); directed by Tim Burton

1. Regina Bartkoff says:

   December 28, 2014 at 11:00 am

   Sheila
   I was so excited to see this and feel a bit wary now, but still intrigued by your review. What you said about Waltz doesn’t sound that great, (oh no). I also read somewhere (sorry forgot where!) that the real Keane actually did weirder things in real life and they toned that down. Why? Because nobody would believe it? I was already a bit wary when I read that, and was going to hold off reading any reviews till I saw yours. It sounds like he amped up his performance instead (oh no). I’m also not a big fan of Amy Adams (oh no!) I’m always a little bored with her. But I still want to see this with all these questions about art that is brought up.

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   • sheila says:

     January 7, 2015 at 6:59 am

     Regina! Bah – so sorry I somehow missed this comment over the holidays!

     I really look forward to hearing your take. I was looking forward to it too. I thought Waltz’s performance was really just too much – outrageous mugging, basically.

     // I also read somewhere (sorry forgot where!) that the real Keane actually did weirder things in real life and they toned that down. Why? Because nobody would believe it? //

     I hadn’t read that – yeah, really, what’s to tone down? The guy went to his grave SWEARING that he was the one who painted all those Big Eyes. Even after a court found in favor of her. The guy was delusional – obviously some kind of sociopath (but also a genius at marketing. Weird.)

     I like Amy Adams – and am intrigued by your comments about her. I think I can see where you’re coming from – her performance here is really quiet, really dominated – she cannot speak up for herself, she has zero idea how. It’s all described as “this is how women were then” – which I think is a bit of a cop-out. This is how THIS woman was – maybe she did have a desire for fame, and had no idea how to go about it, and her lying husband helped her? I don’t know. I think there were all kinds of possibilities in this story that were left unexplored.

     it’s still a REALLY interesting topic, though – My favorite bits were about the reaction of the “legit” art world to the Big Eyes – they were so horrified, so angry, that this kitschy stuff was so successful.

     Let me know what you think once you’ve seen it!

     Reply
2. Regina Bartkoff says:

   January 7, 2015 at 10:02 am

   Hi Sheila!
   I’m really interested in the art world stuff this movie talks about. You see it all the time, if all of a sudden the biggies in the art world think something is cool, or hip or in it’s okay to say it’s great art and then make tons of money from it. I’m a painter too, self taught, (unlike acting no training) I know nothing about the art world, and could care less, I just like to draw and paint and show paintings a little. Quick story. Recently I’m in a place where some of my paintings are up and there are other artists who are connected and “hip” and I know for a fact they view my stuff as an embarrassment. Some big time dealer was viewing work for her collection and I happened to be behind a door (I swear true story) when she was in front of my work and I heard her say, “Oh! Whose is this?” I came to a freezing dead stop and listened. There was a big silence. She asked again! There was whispering. Then an “OH” from her and she quickly moved on. I walked out but was too stupidly shy to approach her later (I know, I’m an idiot!). I have no idea what they told her and I didn’t give a shit and I found it hilarious! I felt sort of validated and it was fun to talk to the other artists later and watch them with this information I had inside and they didn’t, of course, say one word about the big shot asking about my work as they bragged she bought theirs. So I really want to see this movie! Yeah, so when they tone down real stuff, I wonder. If someone was making a movie about this incident they might be thinking, why didn’t she burst out and talk to the dealer? Why didn’t she confront the other artists later? Why did I instead just feel just oddly embarrassed and sorry for them and say nothing? Real life is weird!
   Amy Adams always strikes me as an honest, hard working actress. I feel like I want to like her, But watching for example, Julie and Julia for example the other day though I always want to skip her part. I felt like she didn’t really know what it’s like to be crazy and obsessive, but was trying to. But maybe that’s unfair, she might have been just miscast in that one. She is a quiet type and might be better suited for this one.

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   • sheila says:

     January 7, 2015 at 10:12 am

     Regina – woah, that’s an amazing story about your art!

     It’s incredible to watch how a “consensus” builds – about what’s in, what’s not – I’m not really up on the art world, and do not study it like I do film – but that type of consensus seems to re-assert itself from generation to generation. Representation is in, oh wait, now it’s not … People are kept out of consideration because their work bucks trends. etc.

     Big Eyes is great on the “consensus” and how the Keanes fought against it – opening their own gallery, and deciding to sell the Big Eyes not as expensive paintings but as inexpensive posters and prints. A revolution – and something Andy Warhol found inspiring.

     What I liked a lot was that Tim Burton (and screenwriters) did not make fun of Margaret Keane or her work. It may not be to everybody’s taste – but the film makes clear that she paints Big Eyed waifs because she enjoyed doing so – and she felt eyes were important – all emotion is there … and that’s what she liked to do. It was very personal, in other words. Burton respects that –

     the screenwriters also wrote Ed Wood – so you can clearly see some of their interests. Screw “the Academy” and screw those who appoint themselves as arbiters of taste – we love these artists who are enthusiastic above all else.

     The film did not condescend to Margaret Keane – although some of the voiceover was a little condescending. I was interested in her motivations – and the film didn’t really explore them. Was it just that her husband was over-bearing and she had internalized the messages of “the husband is the head of the household?” Or could there have been more?

     Please please let me know what you think so we can continue the discussion!

     And keep doing your art. :)

     Reply
3. Regina Bartkoff says:

   January 7, 2015 at 10:29 am

   Sheila
   Recently someone said to me because my paintings usually have a person or a figure in it, “Oh the figure is coming back now”. I felt naively bewildered, don’t you paint what you love? Or what you must paint because you are compelled to? I thought. Like Keane with her big eyes.
   You say you are not “up on the art world” but I love your photos! There’s a great warmth and sweetness in them and they are also very personal. This comes through and I’d much rather see this then some hip photos in a slick gallery.
   I will try and get to this movie!

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   • sheila says:

     January 7, 2015 at 10:55 am

     Regina – // “Oh the figure is coming back now”. //

     My God, that makes me angry. As though you are only interested in what is “coming back” and THAT’S why you choose to paint it. I don’t know … it’s such a limiting kind of conversation to have about art.

     Oh – and I saw a movie yesterday which I missed on its release in 2013 – and it blew me away. I will write about it when I have some time – it’s called The Congress. Have you heard of it or seen it?

     It’s all about acting, womanhood, and getting older in an industry/culture that values Youth. Robin Wright plays herself. And it’s a sci-fi movie. I don’t even know how to describe it. But it absolutely knocked me flat and I wanted to put it on your radar.

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     • sheila says:

       January 7, 2015 at 10:58 am

       I almost paused it to email you right in the middle of it – but decided to NOT step out of the experience.

       Reply
4. Regina Bartkoff says:

   January 8, 2015 at 1:07 pm

   Sheila

   Oh! I don’t know about it! Sounds fascinating, thanks, I’ll check it out!

   Reply

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