Movie/TV Show Being Reviewed:
Big Fish

Reviewer:
Jane Myers

Genre:
Drama

Movies/TV Shows:
Movie

Suggested Age Range:
Parental Guidance

Age Range Explained:
Strong loss issues

Subject Headings:
Aging, Depression, Family dynamics, Grief & loss, Men's issues, Relationships

Review:
The film tells the story of a father and son who have grown apart with the years but come together again when the father is on his death bed. It illustrates how they mend their relationship and finally begin to understand each other before they have to finally let go. The father is a story teller, his stories are full of colorful details and often seem unrealistic to the son. As he awaits his father’s death, the son attempts to get the true facts about his father’s life and becomes increasingly frustrated at the lack of success. He eventually lets go of his need to understand the world concretely and is able to see the beauty and truth in his father’s elaborate stories, even when the facts don’t seem to add up.

This is an excellent film that can be used with clients undergoing issues of an existential nature. It touches upon the idea of authentic living, purpose, relationships, death, and letting go of control. This film can be used with adults undergoing a midlife crisis or who have lost a parent. It encourages reflection about what we consider to be true and reevaluation of events and people that have shaped the way we view ourselves and our parents. It also pushes us to ponder the way we live our lives and our ability to change our perceptions of ourselves and others.