Big Fish MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 Content: -1

In this delightful drama directed by Tim Burton, young journalist Will Bloom (Billy Crudup) flies home to Alabama because his father, Edward (Albert Finney), is dying. Will sees his dad as a self-centered, lying scoundrel who never shuts up. Even now on his death bed, Edward entertains his amused daughter-in-law (Marion Cotillard) with his over-the-top storytelling that Will and his mother, Sandra (Jessica Lange), have been through endless times. In his stories, Edward is a legend not a small fish as a teenager (Ewan McGregor) in the small town of Ashton when he coaxes a scary, homeless giant named Karl out of town. Each episode of Edwards life is more bizarre than the last. He and Karl end up joining a circus where he serves as both human cannon ball and lion trainer. Then the country boy meets his dream girl. Big Fishs combination of fantasy, humor, romance and adventure makes it a memorable experience.

Audiences will be charmed and touched by this big fish who touches the lives of many. Edwards adventures go from taming a giant to risking his life during WW II to rescue conjoined twins. But winning Sandras heart is Edwards most rewarding and painful fight. In Wills soul-searching journey, he learns as much about life as he does about death. Positive themes include living life to the fullest, the loving relationship between husband and wife, and family loyalty. Nonsexual rear male and female nudity occurs a few times when a young woman swims in murky waters and when a circus worker bares his buttocks in a comical scene. Foul language is limited to a couple obscenities and a crude reference to sex. Big Fish barely misses a Preview acceptable rating due to a severe beating scene, and the brief nudity and bad language.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Columbia Pictures