Big Eyes

Walter Keane, played by Christoph Waltz, was a charismatic and cunning individual who rose to fame as a renowned artist in the late 1950s and early 1960s. His captivating portraits of children with oversized eyes, known as his "big eyes" style, captured the hearts and imagination of the public, catapulting him to unprecedented success. Walter's work was plastered on billboards, magazine covers, and even exhibited in galleries worldwide, cementing his status as a master artist. However, unbeknownst to the public, there was another key player behind the scenes who was instrumental in creating the iconic "big eyes" style - Walter's wife, Margaret. Played by Amy Adams, Margaret was a talented artist in her own right, but her reserved and introverted nature prevented her from seeking the spotlight or asserting her own artistic ambitions. She was content to live in the shadow of her more outgoing and confident husband, and the world believed that Walter was solely responsible for the captivating artworks. The Keanes' life appears to be a fairytale on the surface - a loving couple with a successful partnership in art, surrounded by admiration and praise from the world. However, beneath the façade lies a troubled reality. Margaret struggles to make herself heard in a household where Walter dominates every conversation. Her artistic talents are constantly overshadowed by her husband's ego, and she longs for the recognition and validation that she feels is rightfully hers. As Walter continues to reap the rewards of his supposed artistic genius, Margaret's feelings of resentment and frustration simmer beneath the surface. It is a peculiar irony that while her husband's success has created a life of comfort and luxury for her, it also reinforces the notion that she is relegated to being an appendage to someone else's creative genius. The turning point in the Keanes' marriage arrives when Walter's infidelity becomes apparent, and their relationship begins to unravel. The façade of their idyllic partnership crumbles, revealing a messy reality. Divorce looms on the horizon, and with it, a bitter feud over the ownership of their artwork and the truth behind Walter's "big eyes" phenomenon. The stage is set for a contentious lawsuit as Margaret realizes that she can no longer stand idly by while her husband passes off her work as his own. The case becomes a public spectacle, drawing attention to the intricate web of artistic deception that has been woven by Walter Keane. As the truth starts to unravel, the public's perception of the Keanes and their artwork begins to shift. Margaret, still grappling with the consequences of Walter's deception, musters the courage to take control of her life and her artwork. With the help of her brother, Al, who had initially been skeptical of Walter's true intentions, and her own lawyer, Margaret sets out to reclaim her rightful place in the art world. Her journey from obscurity to recognition becomes a triumphant tale of perseverance and vindication. In the end, the public finally discovers the truth behind the "big eyes" phenomenon, and Margaret is hailed as the true creator behind Walter Keane's most famous artworks. Her brushstrokes, once hidden beneath her husband's ego, now shine with the recognition they so rightly deserve. Big Eyes, as a movie, is a poignant exploration of artistic identity and the complexities of family dynamics, set against the vibrant backdrop of 1960s American culture. The film sheds light on a lesser-known chapter in art history, offering a nuanced portrayal of two individuals with conflicting ambitions and desires that shaped their personal and artistic legacies.