First things first: The paintings of Margaret Keane are terrible. I understand that art is very subjective and this type of kitch art is not for me. But this is a serious detriment of the film to really engage me. Whether she has real talent is a matter of debate. I imagine some enjoy it and I was not on her side when a prominent New York Times art critic ripped her work to shreds. I agreed with him.
Had I not know otherwise I wouldn't have guessed that this was directed by Tim Burton. It his least "Tim Burton" film. This is both refreshing and its biggest drawback. It is as superficial as the paintings the film is highlighting. Apart from a fleeting moment when Margaret Keane is in a supermarket and sees several customers sporting her iconic "big lies" in a fantasy sequence it is very conservative in its style.
But with all that being said I kind of enjoyed the film. It's highly unlikely that I will ever see it again but I was never bored. It was primarily due to the performance of Amy Adams as Margaret Keane. Even though her character is not the brightest bulb in the chandelier there is a genuine quality to her passion for painting that keeps us invested. But then there is Christoph Waltz as Walter Keane, essentially the film's villain. I understand that films play fast and free with "true stories" but I cannot believe anyone would not see through this obvious con man. He plays the character like a silent film villain --all that was missing a comically large moustache to twirl and give an occasional exaggerated chuckle. There is really no nuances to either main character and we don't get much insight into their livrs apart from a very surface level. Madeleine Arthur as Margaret Keane 's daughter looks like a Keane painting come to life. Had this film been made about twenty years ago I imagine Christina Ricci would have been ideal casting.
I didn't hate the film despite all that I have written. It is primarily watchable for Amy Adams. I don't know what reaction the film got upon its initial release but I imagine that Amy Adams was singled out as being its best aspect. Emotions plays so subtly on her faces and eyes. It's admirable that Tim Burton attempted to branch out from his usual brand of films, away from terrible remakes and try something in the vein of Ed Wood (my favourite of his films), however the story is so underwhelming and doesn't have charm of Ed Wood that made us root for him despite a complete lack of talent.
Had I not know otherwise I wouldn't have guessed that this was directed by Tim Burton. It his least "Tim Burton" film. This is both refreshing and its biggest drawback. It is as superficial as the paintings the film is highlighting. Apart from a fleeting moment when Margaret Keane is in a supermarket and sees several customers sporting her iconic "big lies" in a fantasy sequence it is very conservative in its style.
But with all that being said I kind of enjoyed the film. It's highly unlikely that I will ever see it again but I was never bored. It was primarily due to the performance of Amy Adams as Margaret Keane. Even though her character is not the brightest bulb in the chandelier there is a genuine quality to her passion for painting that keeps us invested. But then there is Christoph Waltz as Walter Keane, essentially the film's villain. I understand that films play fast and free with "true stories" but I cannot believe anyone would not see through this obvious con man. He plays the character like a silent film villain --all that was missing a comically large moustache to twirl and give an occasional exaggerated chuckle. There is really no nuances to either main character and we don't get much insight into their livrs apart from a very surface level. Madeleine Arthur as Margaret Keane 's daughter looks like a Keane painting come to life. Had this film been made about twenty years ago I imagine Christina Ricci would have been ideal casting.
I didn't hate the film despite all that I have written. It is primarily watchable for Amy Adams. I don't know what reaction the film got upon its initial release but I imagine that Amy Adams was singled out as being its best aspect. Emotions plays so subtly on her faces and eyes. It's admirable that Tim Burton attempted to branch out from his usual brand of films, away from terrible remakes and try something in the vein of Ed Wood (my favourite of his films), however the story is so underwhelming and doesn't have charm of Ed Wood that made us root for him despite a complete lack of talent.