Big Eyes (2014)

Call me crazy, Tim Burton's newest dramedy "Big Eyes" starring five- time Academy Award nominee Amy Adams and two-time Oscar-winner Christoph Waltz is a witty, satirical, and thoroughly enjoyable romp at the movies. This is Burton's best since "Big Fish."

From screenwriters Larry Karaszewski and Scott Alexander, "Big Eyes" offers big laughs, harmless fun, and a simple take on a most outrageous story. The film tells the story of Margaret Keane, a painter whose husband took credit for all her works in the 1950's and early 1960's. The script is well-paced, though sluggish in spots, and it offers just the right amount of drama and comedy to entertain the audience. There are some opportunities where both the writers and Burton could have offered more development of characters, and the time. If you can get past the tom-foolery of the events that transpired, than you should be able to stick with the elements just fine.

Freshly colored with an array of set pieces, this is one of Burton's most aesthetically pleasing films of his career. Danny Elfman's score is the signature touch that we await in all of Burton's works. It's subtle yet apparent in nearly all the right ways. Same goes for the stunning costume work by Colleen Atwood, a strong contender for another Academy Award nomination.

Amy Adams is richly immersed in one of her finest and daring turns yet. Her performance is much more internalized than what we've come to expect with outlandish roles like "Junebug" and "Enchanted" under her belt. She fixates on the fragility of Margaret and the vulnerability of living in someone else's shadow.

Christoph Waltz is infectious nearly throughout, with funny tics and beats that add to the film's nuance. From the surface, it looks as though Waltz may be doing his same shtick but he offers much more than that as the narrative moves on. Similar to his underrated work in "Carnage," Waltz plays the sleazy, underhanded Walter Keane to pure and menacing results. I'd argue even better than his work in "Django Unchained."

Co-stars Danny Huston, Krysten Ritter, and Terence Stamp are virtually unused except for a few story beats, which is unfortunate given their considerable talents.

"Big Eyes" is a great family film for the holidays. Crafted in an interesting and bizarre story, which offers a vivid and visually compelling film in parts. It's one of the surprise successes of 2014.