Big Eyes Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Woman paints sad-eyed kids, husband lies about painting them, and then they go to court to see who can paint the saddest kid the fastest.

🍿 Big Eyes: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Leaving the Past Behind

In the late 1950s, Margaret Ulbrich, a talented painter, decides to leave her unfulfilling marriage and move to San Francisco with her young daughter, Jane. She seeks a fresh start and the opportunity to pursue her passion for art. She hopes to support herself and her daughter through her paintings, which feature children with large, expressive eyes.

Meeting Walter Keane

While selling her artwork at an outdoor art fair, Margaret encounters Walter Keane, a charming and charismatic fellow artist who sells paintings of Parisian street scenes. Walter is outgoing and quickly establishes a connection with Margaret and Jane. He encourages her artistic talent and they soon marry. This seems like the perfect union, combining their artistic talents and creating a supportive family environment.

The Deception Begins

Walter starts promoting and selling the artwork, but a misunderstanding leads him to take credit for Margaret’s ‘big eyes’ paintings. Because it’s the 1950s, Walter convinces her that people are less likely to buy art from a female artist, so they continue the charade. The paintings become increasingly popular, and the money starts rolling in. They buy a larger house and Walter soaks up the spotlight, leaving Margaret painting alone in her studio and increasingly isolated.

The Truth Unravels

As Walter basks in fame and fortune, Margaret becomes increasingly uneasy with the deception and the strain it places on her relationship with her daughter, to whom she must also lie. She discovers that Walter isn’t even a real artist, but he is passing off mass produced paintings as his own. When she expresses her desire to end the charade, Walter threatens her.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Margaret Keane (Amy Adams): A talented artist who creates the ‘Big Eyes’ paintings but allows her husband to take credit, leading to a personal and legal battle for recognition.
• Walter Keane (Christoph Waltz): Margaret’s charismatic and manipulative husband who deceives the world by claiming authorship of her artwork, driving their success but also their downfall.
• Dick Nolan (Danny Huston): A celebrity gossip columnist who initially promotes Walter’s false claims, later becoming a narrator to Margaret’s story.
• Dee-Ann (Krysten Ritter): Margaret’s supportive friend who helps her settle into San Francisco and navigate her new life.
• John Canaday (Terence Stamp): A highbrow New York Times art critic who disparages the Keane paintings, sparking conflict and highlighting the divide between commercial success and critical acclaim.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Walter Keane: “I believe that you can see things in the eyes. The eyes are the window to the soul.” – Walter uses this line to justify the emotional impact and marketability of Margaret’s art, exploiting her vision for profit.
• Walter Keane: “We’re a team, Margaret!” – Walter uses this phrase to manipulate Margaret into letting him take credit for her work, masking his exploitation with a facade of partnership.
• Margaret Keane: “I couldn’t show them, I was ashamed.” – Margaret explains why she hid her artistic talent and allowed Walter to take credit, reflecting the societal pressures on women at the time.
• Margaret Keane: “All I want is credit for what I did.” – Margaret’s declaration outside the courthouse after winning her case, highlighting her desire for recognition and artistic validation.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $14,482,031
• Worldwide Gross: $29,261,617

💥 Big Eyes Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed ‘Big Eyes’! Amy Adams was incredible – you really felt for her and her struggle. Christoph Waltz, while over-the-top, was entertaining to watch as the manipulative Walter. I loved the vibrant 1950s/60s setting, and the courtroom scene was so satisfying. It’s a different kind of movie for Tim Burton, but still engaging!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of biographical dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in art history and art fraud”
  • “People who enjoy films with strong female leads”
  • “Viewers who appreciate Tim Burton’s unique visual style (though toned down in this film)”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Depiction of domestic abuse”
  • “Thematic elements of fraud and deception”
  • “Some strong language”

Professional Reviews

• Rolling Stone: “Amy Adams delivers a heart-wrenching performance as Margaret Keane, capturing her vulnerability and eventual empowerment. While Christoph Waltz leans into caricature, the film shines in its depiction of artistic struggle and the fight for recognition.
• The New York Times: “Tim Burton’s ‘Big Eyes’ is a departure, a straightforward biopic elevated by strong performances. The film explores the complex dynamic between Margaret and Walter Keane, though it sometimes struggles to balance its comedic and dramatic elements.
• RogerEbert.com: “A surprisingly nuanced and affecting film from Tim Burton, driven by Amy Adams’ exceptional portrayal of Margaret Keane. ‘Big Eyes’ delves into the themes of female oppression and artistic integrity with a delicate touch.

Audience Reactions

Amy Adams’ performance as Margaret Keane was amazing and captivating.: Viewers loved Amy Adams and her compelling potrayal of the conflicted, quiet artist, Margaret Keane.

The movie was well-crafted in general, with a beautiful production design, and gorgeous costumes.: Viewers admired the film’s style and visual appearance.

Overall Consensus: Big Eyes tells a fascinating true story with strong performances, although some find the tone uneven and Christoph Waltz’s portrayal exaggerated.

Awards

1. Golden Globe Award (Best Actress – Musical or Comedy)- 2015

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Tim Burton is a known collector of Margaret Keane’s art, which influenced his decision to direct this biopic.”
• “Amy Adams spent time with Margaret Keane to prepare for the role, studying her mannerisms and artistic techniques.”
• “The film features a cameo by Margaret Keane herself, sitting on a park bench during a scene where Amy Adams, as Margaret, is painting.”
• “Lana Del Rey wrote and performed the title song, ‘Big Eyes,’ which was nominated for a Golden Globe Award.”
• “The actual courtroom sketch from the Keane v. Keane trial was used in the film for accuracy.”

🖥️ How to Watch Big Eyes?

Currently, ‘Big Eyes’ is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand availability. You can also find physical copies (DVD and Blu-ray) available for purchase online and in stores like Amazon and Best Buy.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Big Eyes, you might like these similar films:

• Frida (2002): A biopic about a female artist who overcame personal hardships to achieve artistic recognition, similar to Margaret Keane’s struggle.
• Ed Wood (1994): Another Tim Burton biopic about an artist, though less successful, focusing on passion, determination, and the definition of art.
• Suffragette (2015): Highlights the struggle for female empowerment and recognition during the same historical period as ‘Big Eyes.’
• Mona Lisa Smile (2003): Explores the themes of female identity and societal expectations in the 1950s, similar to Margaret’s confinement and limited choices.
• A Private War (2018): Highlights a woman standing up for her beliefs and rights, in similar ways that Margaret stood up against Walter during their trial.

🛒 Big Eyes Related Products

• Big Eyes (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Relive the captivating music from the movie with this digital soundtrack download. Features original songs by Lana Del Rey and the score by Danny Elfman.
• Margaret Keane: Her Life, Art, and Inspiration: An in-depth look into Margaret Keane’s personal life, her art techniques, and how she made a major name for herself in the art world and popular culture.
• Big Eyes Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the movie poster, perfect for decorating any room with a touch of cinematic flair. Great movie memento
• Art-Inspired Big Eyes Print: This is a high-quality print of Big Eyes imagery with custom framing options available. It features vibrant colors.

🎧 Soundtrack

Big Eyes features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Big Eyes” – performed by Lana Del Rey
• “I Can Fly” – performed by Lana Del Rey
• “Tropicville” – performed by Cal Tjader

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Margaret Keane, Painter Behind Tim Burton’s ‘Big Eyes’ | KQED Arts

Curious about the real-life inspiration behind the movie? Check out this interview with Margaret Keane, the painter whose unique art and personal story captivated audiences and filmmakers alike.

Amy Adams and Margaret Keane tell Big Eyes Movie Story

Dive deeper into the world of ‘Big Eyes’ with this captivating Q&A where Amy Adams and the real Margaret Keane share personal anecdotes, thoughts on the film, and the true meaning behind the iconic paintings.

Big Eyes, Big Lies | The Carpetbagger | The New York Times

Witness the emotional moment when Margaret Keane attends the premiere of ‘Big Eyes’ and shares her thoughts on the cinematic portrayal of her life and art.

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