Mirror Reversals in Big Fish

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Big Fish is like an incomprehensible film, which never ceases to stop surprising its viewers. The story is an amazing fantasy created by Tim Burton, which transports the viewer to another dimension by means of the main character’s experiences and adventures through the film. In the story the viewer finds a father, Edward Bloom, and a son, Will Bloom. The father is an extravagant storyteller, in which his son grew up hearing his tales and begins to doubt their credibility. Throughout the film the viewer can catch a glimpse of numerous acts of magical realism, but overall identifies the characteristic of mirror reversals which adds a special touch to the story when intertwined with the father and the son as they undergo a life changing journey.
Incorporated all throughout Big Fish are several characteristics of magical realism. However, one characteristic that stands out is mirror reversals. Mirror reversals are the act of people or effects switching places, and taking on a new persona. This characteristic is not widely known, but is commonly used throughout countless films and stories. The viewer can identify mirror reversals by beginning to look for certain characters and understand their role and watch closely for them to undertake another role or personality. Successively when this characteristic is identified the viewer is then able to acknowledge the story’s deeper meaning. Mirror reversals are not present from beginning to end of the film, but rather towards the end when Tim Burton ties together the aspects of the father and son’s relationship.
Of all the examples of magical realism, the characteristic which enhances the utmost dramatic effect are the mirror reversals. The primary main character is Edward Bloom, from a litt...

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...om his stories; the uncatchable fish. After Will’s father died, he self-confessed that “he became what he always was, a big fish”, which admits that something magical has taken place, and was set perfectly in the film (Burton). Mirror reversals are a powerful characteristic that insert a new meaning to the film as well as helping its viewers develop a deeper understanding by transforming a character into another through an aforementioned character. By including this characteristic Tim Burton added a captivating effect that gave the viewer an additional perspective of Edward turning into the big fish he always spoke of. Through this tactic, Big Fish was an amazing well put together film, and it would not be the same without the multiple acts of magical realism.

Works Cited

Big Fish. Dir. Tim Burton. Perf. Ewan McGregor. S GOLD The Entertainment Network, 2003. DVD.

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