Big Eyes - B

Rated PG-13, 105 minutes
Wes's Grade: B

"Big Eyes" is Burton's well-acted, compelling true story about taking credit

No one likes being ripped off, especially an artist, which is the basis of Tim Burton's engaging, superbly acted new drama, the true story known as "Big Eyes." Knowing Burton's penchant for being weird and offbeat, this is remarkably restrained and appealing. The movie tells the story of Walter Keane (Christoph Waltz), who was one of the most successful painters of the 1950s and early 1960s who earned staggering notoriety by revolutionizing the commercialization and accessibility of popular art with his enigmatic paintings of waifs with big eyes. The truth would eventually be discovered though: Keane's art was actually not created by him at all, but by his wife, Margaret (Amy Adams). Directed and produced by Burton with a screenplay by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, "Big Eyes" is a first-rate, satisfying true story, with worthy, Golden Globe-nominated performances from Adams and Waltz. The real draw, even more so than the solid acting, is the poignant true story of the Keane's, who gained considerable popularity in the '50s and '60s for Margaret's unusual art; admittedly Walter was a master salesman who took the art to new heights, but he also essentially stole the limelight from the true, gifted artist in his wife. Both were responsible for the ruse, though it was later Margaret (who is still living) who came forward with the truth. The initial chapters of "Big Eyes," as the Keane's slowly become famous, are the most fascinating, until it gets to the climax, an extended, somewhat predictable courtroom scene that finally gets to the point. Adams' warm performance as Keane grounds the movie, and Waltz has a penchant for chewing scenery here (and seemingly, so did the real Walter), but it keeps the movie flowing. Not only is Keane a talented, lovely artist, "Big Eyes" is an affecting, straightforward portrait of a real artist. Don't let Burton (who is thankfully without Johnny Depp or Helena Bonham Carter on this project) scare you off, the movie is quite normal.

Opens on Christmas Day