You’ve seen the paintings — in magazines and galleries, at vintage stores, and on postcards. The captivating portraits of children with enormous eyes. For years, Walter Keane claimed those paintings were his — becoming rich, famous, and beloved by all who loved his work.
The Tim Burton directed movie Big Eyes tells the true story of how Walter (played by Christoph Waltz) was a manipulative liar. He took credit for the art — accepting the adoration and money for each of the paintings, though it was never actually him who created them. They were painted by his wife, Margaret Keane.
She was scared and poor when they met. He told her that by lying, and passing off her art as his, they would become rich. No one bought ‘women’ art, he tells her. Margaret’s face after hearing this is a heart hurter.
Big Eyes is a story about a woman who doesn’t think enough of herself to stand up to this man who has promised her safety. She feels like her husband pulled her out of a hole when she was sinking. She feels like she owes him — that is, until she reaches her limit of abuse and control, and leaves.
There’s an earlier scene where the Keanes are stapling a print on a telephone pole, and Margaret's daughters says, “Hey, mom painted that.” Walter laughs it off and tell her, “You’re mistaken,” and Margaret agrees with her husband. He’s the artist — not her.
Margaret (played by Amy Adams) had met Walter in San Francisco in the 1950s. She was a divorcee with a child, and believed him to be an honest, creative, and charming man. A possible provider. Though you see from the beginning he’s shady. You want her to be okay. You fall in love with Margaret fast. You want her to win.
Big Eyes is a beautiful, colorful film, chock full of candy colored San Francisco scenes. From shots of the Palace of Fine Arts to the streets of North Beach, our city is a character in the film.
There are scenes where you want to break Walter’s face; this dominating man, forcing his wife to lie, and therefore wilt. But you also want Margaret to fight for herself. You want her to do something: leave him. Tell the truth. Something. Anything.
Watching Big Eyes, all I could think was how lucky we are to not have to bow down to men delivering rules to their wives. Back in the ‘60s, women had fewer choices. This movie makes you thankful for being female in 2014.
Big Eyes is infuriating, sad, and stupidly honest. And, spoiler alert: years later, Margaret sues Walter, and the movie ends in a dramatic Honolulu courtroom ‘paint-off.’ Margaret produces a big-eyed waif in less than 45 minutes. Walter obviously fails. The court awards Margaret with validity and four million dollars in defamation damages.
Up to the captivating finale, this movie is told like a story of women’s lib. Both Waltz and Adams nail this dance so hard, you walk away feeling Margaret has come into her own. The film gives the 87-year-old artist the respect that she is well overdue — in a beautiful, bubblegum-colored, Tim Burton way.
Her work can be bought at the Keane Eyes Gallery right here in San Francisco. The movie opens Christmas Day.