![]() It’s in that moment where Tim Burton seems to be commenting on himself, wanting his work to be liked, but fighting not to sell himself in the process. The man selling his art next to her, Walter Keane (a slimy Christoph Waltz) expresses, “You’re better than spare change, shouldn’t sell yourself so cheap”, which Margaret responds with, “Oh, I’m just glad they liked it”. Yet, it is the work of Ulbrich that is the most unique, entirely her own. A cacophony of artists surround her, each person passing her work by without a glimpse. There’s a scene in Big Eyes where Margaret Ulbrich (played wonderfully by Amy Adams) is selling her art on a gravel path in San Francisco. Big Eyes - Hiding Behind the Eyes of an Artist ![]() Starting with doubt, running away to escape, and rising to top again, and it has all been done in the Tim Burton way. Big Eyes, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, and Dumbo has been a crescendo of cinema. Although few seem to notice, Burton has made three films in a row in the back half of his career, each one impressive, still flawed, but uniquely connected to the tall man from Burbank, California. Although that love and general respect among film critics became damp, I’ve still gravitated to Burton’s entire body of work. Either way, things changed for Burton and his popularity faded. Maybe audiences grew tired of the style? Or had Burton just become a massive sellout? Making Disney movies ( Alice in Wonderland) with large budgets, too much CGI ( Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), and no substance was where he drifted. Burton made more great films in the coming years, arguably his best in Ed Wood, but then came critical flops such as Mars Attacks! and Planet of the Apes and the shine of Burton had seemed to wear off. That’s something that not many directors can say. Then Batman took off, putting a spin on the caped crusader like never before, and cementing a director that had made four fantastic movies in a row. I was probably too young to see it the first time I did. It was dark, original, and helped me develop a crush on Geena Davis. It was Beetlejuice that truly had me take notice. It was easy for me to love and laugh at Big Adventure. I had already gravitated to the man-child that was Pee-wee Herman, watching his playhouse every Saturday morning, playing with the action figures, and buying the stuffed dolls. These were images, sets, and characters like nothing I had ever seen before. Starting with Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, to Beetlejuice, Batman, and Edward Scissorhands his style made an imprint on my mind. I’ve read books on him, and I’ve seen every movie. He’s not even my favorite director by any stretch of the imagination, but I do respect his work. The films of Tim Burton are a part of me.
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