Big Fish opens wide
No matter where in North America you live, BIG FISH will finally be “at a theater near you” beginning this Friday, January 9th, 2004. For the last month, the movie has been in very limited release — first in just six theaters, then in 125. We’ve done remarkably well, racking up $20,000 per screen this past weekend, but the real question mark is how we can perform nationwide.
I’m optimistic. So far, the movie has only been playing in big cities, but there’s nothing particularly big-city about Big Fish. It’s not pretentious; in fact it’s kind of square. I suspect a family of four in Boise will like it just fine.
We won’t come in #1 for the weekend, nor do we need to. I’m just hoping to get enough butts-in-seats to continue the momentum we’ve gotten so far.
Articles
January 8th, 2004 at 12:57 pm
Mr. August,
This is my first time posting on here. I just loaded your copy of the shooting draft for Big Fish. I’m an acting student from Ohio, I now go to college in New York City. I’ve been a big fan of Tim Burton’s work my whole life. Even the films he has done that were less imaginative (which may only inclide Planet of the Apes) I’ve always appreciated his role in the film. His best movies are always those that don’t just have his vision but are backed up by amazing scripts and acting. I’ve seen Big Fish three times and plan to see it many more, because this movie, above all others, is strong and powerful in every aspect. Your adaptation from the original book was not just detailed and well written but it was profound! You found an extremely creative and successful way of taking many scattered short epidoses and molding and twisting them into one solid story. I especially was amazed by your interpretation of the ending of the story. Honestly, it is the ONLY way to truly end this movie. This film is remarkable in that it does something that is almost never done these days, it asks its audience to LET GO. People are so caught up in reality and fact these days, they have been for a long time. Your script and Mr. Burton’s direction demand something unfamiliar and uncomfortable from the audience, but it’s something that should be demanded more. It’s cliche but we all have very little time on earth and our real lives, the ones that go on forever, exist only in the minds and hearts of those we meet and touch. Our stories become our lives. You captured this idea so perfectly that I almost feel like nothing ever again has to be said on the subject. I’m sorry I wrote so much, I’m sure you get alot of long posts from alot of fans and I’m just one of many, but I really appreciate this work. I can relate to Edward Bloom in many ways, I think everyone can. I left my small town, which not many do, because I never felt like I belonged, and New York’s very diferent but in the time I’ve spent here I’ve found that I’m much more suited for this sort of life. I also have begun to write scripts of my own and this is a lesson in how a truly great script should be structured and put together. Your themes of legacy, family, fathers and sons, fate, and small town angst are some of the best ever writen and felt like writing to you to tell you that. Thank you and good luck to you in the future.
Sincerely,
Greg Fusco
January 11th, 2004 at 8:52 pm
Just got back from the movie theatre. “Big Fish” is fantastic and very moving. Not being a “woman-prone-to-tears” myself, I was surprised by my reaction to the warmth in the film and had to visit the ladies room right after leaving the movie to get it together, so I wouldn’t give people the wrong impression and make them think that “Big Fish” was depressing!!
Wonderful job…a great script! Kudos!!