Big Eyes

{{About|the 2014 film|the Lana Del Rey song from the film's soundtrack|Big Eyes (song)|the 16th-century person|Big Eyes (Wichita woman)}}

{{Infobox film

| name = Big Eyes

| image = Big Eyes poster.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Theatrical release poster

| director = Tim Burton

| writer = Scott Alexander
Larry Karaszewski

| producer = {{Plainlist|

Tim Burton
Scott Alexander
Larry Karaszewski
Lynette Howell

}}

| starring = {{Plainlist|

}}

| cinematography = Bruno Delbonnel

| editing = JC Bond

| music = Danny Elfman

| studio = {{Plainlist|

Electric City Entertainment
Silverwood Films
Tim Burton Productions}}

| distributor = The Weinstein Company

| released = {{Film date|2014|12|15|New York City|2014|12|25|United States}}

| runtime = 106 minutes{{cite web | url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/big-eyes-film | title=BIG EYES (12A) | work=British Board of Film Classification | date=December 10, 2014 | access-date=December 10, 2014 | archive-date=December 11, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211061542/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/big-eyes-film | url-status=live }}

| country = United States

| language = English

| budget = $10 million{{cite web|work=The Numbers|title=Big Eyes|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Big-Eyes#tab=summary|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=January 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102181953/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Big-Eyes#tab=summary|url-status=live}}

| gross = $29.3 million{{cite web|title=Big Eyes|work=Box Office Mojo|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=bigeyes.htm|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=August 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811203133/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=bigeyes.htm|url-status=live}}

}}

Big Eyes is a 2014 American biographical drama film directed by Tim Burton, written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, and starring Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz. It is about the relationship between American artist Margaret Keane and her second husband, Walter Keane, who, in the 1950s and 1960s, took credit for Margaret's phenomenally popular paintings of people with big eyes.

The film had its world premiere in New York City on December 15, 2014,{{cite web|title=Harvey Weinstein Praises 'Big Eyes' Screenwriters-Producers at Film's Premiere|url=https://variety.com/2014/scene/news/harvey-weinstein-sony-hacking-praises-screenwriters-at-big-eyes-premiere-1201380858/|website=Variety|date=December 16, 2014|access-date=December 9, 2017|archive-date=September 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929215748/https://variety.com/2014/scene/news/harvey-weinstein-sony-hacking-praises-screenwriters-at-big-eyes-premiere-1201380858/|url-status=live}} and was released in the United States by The Weinstein Company on December 25, 2014.{{cite web|title=Press Conference For The Weinstein Company's "BIG EYES" |url=https://news.yahoo.com/photos/press-conference-weinstein-companys-big-20141212-184849-769.html |website=Yahoo |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216033416/http://news.yahoo.com/photos/press-conference-weinstein-companys-big-20141212-184849-769.html |archive-date=December 16, 2014 |df=mdy }} It was met with generally favorable reviews, with particular praise given to the performances of Adams and Waltz and performed moderately well at the box office, grossing $29 million worldwide against the budget of $10 million. Adams won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical and received a nomination for the BAFTA for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Waltz was also nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance, and Lana Del Rey received a Golden Globe nomination for the film's title song, "Big Eyes".

Plot

In 1958, Margaret Ulbrich leaves her then-husband and takes her young daughter Jane to North Beach, San Francisco, where she gets a job painting illustrations at a furniture factory. While doing portraits at an outdoor art show, she meets Walter Keane, who sells paintings of Parisian street scenes but makes his money in real estate. They soon become close friends. Margaret is distraught when her ex-husband, Jane's father, asks for custody of Jane as part of the divorce settlement. Walter proposes, and they marry and honeymoon in Hawaii. She retains custody of Jane.

Unable to get his or Margaret's paintings into a fine art gallery, Walter convinces Enrico Banducci, the owner of a popular jazz club, to rent him some wall space to exhibit their work. He is frustrated when the designated space is in the back by the bathrooms. He fights with Banducci and puts the man's head through one of Margaret's canvases. This becomes a front-page story in a local newspaper, which packs the club with people curious to see the art that made grown men fight. Dick Nolan, a celebrity gossip columnist, wants to know more about the artwork but proceeds to ask about Margaret's paintings of young girls with big eyes. Walter goes along with the misunderstanding, failing to clarify that they are Margaret's creations. Afterward, he shows Margaret how much money he made selling her work and suggests they team up, with her staying at home painting and him taking credit and handling publicity and sales.

Walter opens his own gallery selling Margaret's art and eventually comes up with the idea of making cheap reproductions of Margaret's works, which sell in huge numbers. The family moves into a mansion. Walter spends his time hobnobbing with celebrities while Margaret is stuck at home, feeling increasingly isolated. He even makes Margaret lie to Jane about who is doing the paintings.

One day, she finds a crate full of paintings of Parisian street scenes, all signed "S. CENIC". She realizes that she has never actually seen Walter paint and discovers that he has been painting over the name of the original artist and claiming these paintings as his own. When confronted, he says he always wanted to be an artist but never had the talent.

Disillusioned, Margaret indicates that she is losing her interest in continuing the ruse, so Walter threatens to have her killed. Later, he tells her of his plan to get a painting displayed at the upcoming New York World's Fair and demands Margaret paint her "masterpiece". Jane sneaks into the studio when Margaret is working on the huge painting, "Tomorrow Forever", and says she already knew Margaret was really the artist.

At a party, Walter becomes angry after reading John Canaday's scathing review of "Tomorrow Forever", which leads the Fair not to exhibit the painting, and confronts the critic. At home, he drunkenly blames Margaret for the failure of the painting and becomes violent. Along with her daughter, she runs and locks them both in the studio in an attempt to stay away from harm. He then starts throwing lit matches through the studio's keyhole at her and Jane. As he continues to throw lit matches and nearly sets the house on fire, both Margaret and Jane manage to escape, take the car, and drive away from home.

One year later, Margaret and Jane have settled in Honolulu, Hawaii. Walter says he will only grant Margaret a divorce if she signs over the rights to every painting and produces 100 more. Initially, Margaret agrees, but her growing interest in the Jehovah's Witnesses convinces her of the importance of honesty. She finally signs a batch of paintings with her own name. Later, on a Hawaiian radio show, she reveals that she is the real artist behind the "big eyes" paintings, which makes national news. Nolan publishes Walter's claims that Margaret is delusional. On Jane's suggestion, Margaret sues both Walter and Nolan's newspaper for slander and libel.

At the trial, the judge immediately dismisses the libel suit against the newspaper, and Walter is left to defend himself against slander. He botches his defence, even mimicking in court what he has gathered from watching Perry Mason episodes on TV. When he proceeds to cross-examine himself as a witness, the judge becomes fed up and directs both Margaret and Walter to create a painting in court to prove who the real artist is. Whereas Margaret paints steadily, Walter stalls before claiming his arm hurts too much to hold a paintbrush. Margaret wins the lawsuit, and a fan asks her to sign a copy of Walter's coffee table book.

A textual epilogue reveals that Walter, despite continuing to insist that he was the true artist, never produced another painting and died penniless while Margaret remarried, moved back to San Francisco, and opened a new gallery.

Cast

Amy Adams as Margaret Keane
Christoph Waltz as Walter Keane
Danny Huston as Dick Nolan
Krysten Ritter as Dee-Ann
Jason Schwartzman as Ruben
Terence Stamp as John Canaday
Jon Polito as Enrico Banducci
Delaney Raye as Young Jane
Madeleine Arthur as Older Jane
James Saito as Judge
Dylan Kingwell as Boy at Art Show (in the park)

Production

Writers Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski negotiated with Margaret Keane over her life rights and wrote Big Eyes as a spec script. In October 2007, it was announced that development was moving forward with Alexander and Karaszewski directing their script, and nightclub operator Andrew Meieran fully financing, through his Bureau of Moving Pictures banner, the under-$20 million budget.{{cite news|author=Fleming, Michael|url=https://variety.com/2007/film/news/alexander-karaszewski-think-big-1117974079/|title=Alexander, Karaszewski think 'Big'|date=October 15, 2007|work=Variety|access-date=October 24, 2014|archive-date=December 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222115406/http://variety.com/2007/film/news/alexander-karaszewski-think-big-1117974079/|url-status=live}} Kate Hudson and Thomas Haden Church were set to star, and filming was to begin in June 2008, before being pushed back for reasons related to a new Screen Actors Guild contract.{{cite news|author=Fleming, Michael|url=https://variety.com/2008/film/news/kate-hudson-to-star-in-big-eyes-1117980265|title=Kate Hudson to star in 'Big Eyes'|work=Variety|date=February 5, 2008|access-date=October 24, 2014|archive-date=December 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228110943/http://variety.com/2008/film/news/kate-hudson-to-star-in-big-eyes-1117980265/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|author=Fleming, Michael|url =https://variety.com/2008/film/news/church-to-play-keane-in-big-eyes-1117983373/|title=Church to play Keane in 'Big Eyes'|work=Variety|date=April 2, 2008|access-date=October 24, 2014}}

In September 2010, it was announced that Tim Burton had become involved with the film as a producer.{{cite news|author=Mike Fleming|title=Tim Burton Reunites With 'Ed Wood' Scribes For 'Addams Family' And 'Big Eyes'|url=https://deadline.com/2010/08/tim-burton-reunites-with-ed-wood-scribes-for-addams-family-and-big-eyes-62229|publisher=Deadline Hollywood|date=2010-08-19|access-date=2014-09-21|archive-date=November 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122232416/https://deadline.com/2010/08/tim-burton-reunites-with-ed-wood-scribes-for-addams-family-and-big-eyes-62229/|url-status=dead}} Principal photography was scheduled to start in April 2012, with Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Reynolds attached to star.{{cite news|author=Sneider, Jeff|url=https://variety.com/2012/film/news/witherspoon-reynolds-land-big-eyes-1118048991|title=Witherspoon, Reynolds land 'Big Eyes'|work=Variety|date=January 22, 2012|access-date=October 24, 2014|archive-date=October 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016074209/http://variety.com/2012/film/news/witherspoon-reynolds-land-big-eyes-1118048991/|url-status=live}} By 2013, Burton had taken over directing and Big Eyes was set up at The Weinstein Company, with Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz starring. Filming began in July 2013.{{cite news|author=Fleming, Michael|title=Tim Burton To Direct 'Big Eyes'; The Weinstein Company Putting Finishing Brush Strokes On Deal For Painting Saga|url=https://deadline.com/2013/04/tim-burton-to-direct-big-eyes-the-weinstein-company-putting-finishing-brush-strokes-on-deal-for-painting-saga-466304|publisher=Deadline Hollywood|date=April 2, 2013|access-date=October 24, 2014|archive-date=October 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007045154/http://deadline.com/2013/04/tim-burton-to-direct-big-eyes-the-weinstein-company-putting-finishing-brush-strokes-on-deal-for-painting-saga-466304/|url-status=dead}}

Principal photography began on July 8, 2013 and completed on August 23, 2013.{{cite web | url=https://www.findfilmwork.com/project-info.php?projectid=11032&guest=1 | title=BTL Production Listings - Big Eyes }}

Big Eyes is Burton's first film since Edward Scissorhands (1990) to be edited by someone other than Chris Lebenzon, who was busy with Maleficent the same year.

Soundtrack

It was reported in November 2014 that singer Lana Del Rey would contribute with two original songs to the soundtrack, and the songs "Big Eyes" and "I Can Fly", which Lana Del Rey wrote and performed, were leaked in December 2014. The soundtrack album and both songs were officially released on December 23, 2014.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/big-eyes-music-from-original/948533927|title=Big Eyes: Music From the Original Motion Picture|publisher=iTunes|date=December 23, 2014|access-date=January 3, 2015|archive-date=July 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724121441/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/big-eyes-music-from-original/id948533927|url-status=live}}

Reception

=Box office=

The film earned $3 million during its opening weekend and grossed $14.5 million in North America, and $14.8 million internationally, for a worldwide total gross of $29.3 million.

=Critical reception=

On Rotten Tomatoes, Big Eyes holds an approval rating of 72%, based on 198 reviews, with an average rating of 6.7/10; the site's consensus reads: "Well-acted, thought-provoking, and a refreshing change of pace for Tim Burton, Big Eyes works both as a biopic and as a timelessly relevant piece of social commentary".{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/big_eyes/|title=Big Eyes|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=October 13, 2023|archive-date=October 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030203803/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/big_eyes|url-status=live}} On Metacritic, the film has a score of 62 out of 100, based on 40 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/big-eyes|title='Big Eyes' Reviews|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=December 28, 2014|archive-date=January 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122200854/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/big-eyes|url-status=live}}

The Philadelphia Inquirer{{'}}s Steven Rea awarded the film three-and-a-half stars out of four, praising Adams' and Waltz's performances and the film's themes.{{cite web|url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/entertainment/20141226__Big_Eyes___Pay_no_attention_to_that_wife_behind_the_canvas.html|title='Big Eyes': Pay no attention to that wife behind the canvas|first=Steven|last=Rea|publisher=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=December 26, 2014|access-date=October 24, 2020|archive-date=September 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925231651/https://www.inquirer.com/philly/entertainment/20141226__Big_Eyes___Pay_no_attention_to_that_wife_behind_the_canvas.html|url-status=live}} Peter Travers of Rolling Stone criticized the film's uneven tone and pacing, but admitted it was a "heartfelt tribute to the yearning that drives even the most marginalized artist to self expression no matter what the hell anyone thinks."{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/big-eyes-255581/|title='Big Eyes' Movie Review|first=Peter|last=Travers|publisher=Rolling Stone|date=December 30, 2014|access-date=October 24, 2020|archive-date=September 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928113324/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/big-eyes-255581/|url-status=live}}

=Awards and nominations=

class="wikitable sortable" width="99%"

style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"

! Association

! Date of ceremony

! Category

! Nominee(s)

! Result

! scope="col" class="unsortable"| Ref.

scope=row rowspan="2" | British Academy Film Awards

| rowspan="2" |February 8, 2015

| Best Actress in a Leading Role

| Amy Adams

| {{nom}}

| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=2|{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2015/01/bafta-nominations-2015-baftas-nominees-full-list-1201344262/ |title=BAFTA Nominations: 'Grand Budapest Hotel' Leads With 11 – Full List |publisher=Deadline Hollywood |date=January 8, 2015 |access-date=January 9, 2015 |archive-date=January 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112064338/https://deadline.com/2015/01/bafta-nominations-2015-baftas-nominees-full-list-1201344262/ |url-status=live }}

Best Production Design

| Rick Heinrichs, Shane Vieau

| {{nom}}

scope=row | Casting Society of America

| January 22, 2015

| Studio or Independent Comedy

| Jeanne McCarthy, Nicole Abellera, Coreen Mayrs, Heike Brandstatter

| {{nom}}

| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=1|{{cite web |title=Casting Society Unveils Artios Film Nominees |url=https://deadline.com/2015/01/casting-society-artios-awards-film-nominees-full-list-1201342146/ |publisher=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=January 6, 2015 |date=January 6, 2015 |archive-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830194825/https://deadline.com/2015/01/casting-society-artios-awards-film-nominees-full-list-1201342146/ |url-status=live }}

scope=row | Critics' Choice Awards

| |January 15, 2015

| Best Song

| Lana Del Rey for "Big Eyes"

| {{nom}}

| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=4|{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/1932343/2015_golden_globe_nominations/?hub=24|title=2015 Golden Globe Nominations|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|date=December 11, 2014|access-date=January 1, 2015|archive-date=December 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229230535/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/1932343/2015_golden_globe_nominations/?hub=24|url-status=live}}

scope=row rowspan=3|Golden Globe Awards

| rowspan=3|January 11, 2015

| Best Actor – Comedy or Musical

| Christoph Waltz

| {{nominated}}

Best Actress – Comedy or Musical

| Amy Adams

| {{won}}

Best Original Song

| Lana Del Rey for "Big Eyes"

| {{nominated}}

scope=row | Independent Spirit Awards

| February 21, 2015

| Best Screenplay

| Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski

| {{nom}}

| style="text-align:center;"|{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/1932218/2015_film_independent_spirit_awards_nominations_announced/?hub=24|title=2015 Film Independent Spirit Awards Announced|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|date=November 25, 2014|access-date=December 18, 2014|archive-date=December 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229230525/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/1932218/2015_film_independent_spirit_awards_nominations_announced/?hub=24|url-status=live}}

Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards

| January 15, 2015

| Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Song

| Lana Del Rey for "Big Eyes"

| {{nom}}

| {{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1126590/awards|title=Big Eyes|website=IMDb.com|access-date=December 22, 2019|archive-date=March 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327010851/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1126590/awards/|url-status=live}}

Capri, Hollywood

| 2015

| Capri Actress Award

| Amy Adams

| {{won}}

CINE Golden Eagle Film and Video Competition

| 2015

| Narrative Content: Feature - Live Action

| The Weinstein Company

| {{nom}}

Gold Derby Awards

| 2015