Directed by Liang Xuan and Zhang Chun, the film is adapted from the Taoist classic text, Zhanagzi. In a magical realm that exists beneath the human world, magical beings in touch with the natural world venture to the human world for a short time as a rite of passage. When sixteen-year-old Chun goes to leaves in the form of red dolphin, her family warns her to stay away from humans. However, she becomes fascinated by a young boy. After he saves her life from a fishing net, the course of both their lives is changed forever.
Big Fish and Begonia initially immerses the audience in its fantastical world with beautiful animation and captivating set-up. It creates a mystical world through stunning visuals and a kaleidoscope of lush colours. However, it fails to hold that sense of immersion in its second act, due to rushed pacing and too much "telling" instead of "showing."
While its concept and animation are spellbinding, Big Fish and Begonia fails to stick the landing ...
Its themes of the flow of life, and consequences for disregarding it, had the potential to create sweeping epic growth and love. The film introduces characters, relationships and ideas that are never adequately explored. It spends too much time on a relationship that also feels rather hollow. The rushed pacing means that plot lines that are soon brushed aside and never brought up again, making the plot somewhat confusing.
While it's concept and animation are spellbinding, Big Fish and Begonia fails to stick the landing, leaving the audience feeling rather unsatisfied by the time the end credits roll. It's unfortunate that such a beautiful work of cinema never lives up to its full potential because of a rushed story that lacks emotional depth. A lovely story in its visuals and basic concept, but unsatisfying in its execution.
Its themes of the flow of life, and consequences for disregarding it, had the potential to create sweeping epic growth and love. The film introduces characters, relationships and ideas that are never adequately explored. It spends too much time on a relationship that also feels rather hollow. The rushed pacing means that plot lines that are soon brushed aside and never brought up again, making the plot somewhat confusing.
While it's concept and animation are spellbinding, Big Fish and Begonia fails to stick the landing, leaving the audience feeling rather unsatisfied by the time the end credits roll. It's unfortunate that such a beautiful work of cinema never lives up to its full potential because of a rushed story that lacks emotional depth. A lovely story in its visuals and basic concept, but unsatisfying in its execution.
