Lilly Faye's Movie Review: Big Eyes, starring Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz

Dear Readers,

Big Eyes is the true story of artist Margaret Keane (Amy Adams), and her second husband, Walter Keane (Christoph Waltz). Walter was a consummate salesman who took public credit for Margaret's work.

Margaret's paintings of sad waifs with oversized eyes were a cultural phenomenon in the 1960s. Big Eyes is about Margaret's journey from a meek, shy woman dominated by Walter, to a self-confident woman who finally stands up for herself, laying claim to her life's work and reputation. I won't give away how Margaret does that, but it's my favorite scene in the movie!

Big Eyes is directed by Tim Burton, who has long been a collector of Margaret Keane's work.

Dizzie: In addition to her famous waifs, Margaret Keane also painted many portraits of cats and dogs, Boss!

Lilly Faye: That's right, Diz. Also, there's a pretty Toy Poodle in the movie.

You can watch the trailer for the movie here:  Big Eyes

Amy Adams won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Margaret, and Christoph Waltz was nominated for his portrayal of Walter.

Lana Del Rey also received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song. You can hear it here: Lana Del Rey--Big Eyes

Lilly Faye: Frank, tell everybody what you made for our movie night dinner.

Mr. Frank: Shrimp and Orzo with fresh tomatoes and basil, lemon broccoli, and garlic bread.

Alfie Cat: What did that have to do with the movie?

Mr. Frank: Nothing. But I got a good deal on the shrimp.

Lilly Faye: For anyone wondering how closely the movie hews to the truth, here is an excellent October 2014 interview with Margaret Keane in The Guardian newspaper:  The big-eyed children: the extraordinary story of an epic art fraud

Lilly Faye: I can't imagine letting anyone else take credit for writing the blog. It's the expression of my own creativity, and I pour my heart and soul into it.

Time to rate the movie, boys!

Dizzie: Two Paws Up! It made me want to find out more about the truth behind the movie.

Mr. Frank: Two Paws Up! As both a chef and a tuba player, I like stories about the artist's struggle.

Alfie: I'm abstaining. I left the room as soon as the shrimp was gone.

Lilly Faye: Two Paws Up! The actors did a great job, and I loved the 1950s and '60s fashions. I only wish I'd tried out for the role of Margaret's Toy Poodle.

Dear Readers,

Big Eyes is a fascinating look at the true story behind a cultural phenomenon, and a heartening story of a woman learning to stand up for herself. I recommend it.

Love,

Lilly Faye

Dizzie Goes to the Golden Globes

Dear Readers,

Dizzie, my blog intern, is just back from attending Sunday's Golden Globe Awards, and he's here today to give us the inside scoop!

Lilly Faye: Welcome back, Diz. First, tell us how this all came about.

Dizzie: Remember Chad, the young reporter from the television show Scandalous Hollywood Insiders Tonight, who interviewed me at the jail after last year's Academy Awards?

Lilly Faye: When you were arrested for running off with Pharrell's hat at the Oscar after-party?

Dizzie: I wasn't arrested, Boss. A bunch of us guys were temporarily detained for a few hours. It was all a misunderstanding, and we got it straightened out.

Anyway, Chad remembered that I'm pals with George Clooney, and his television show offered to pay my way to the Golden Globes this year. They wanted me to mix and mingle, and get a dog's-eye-view of the evening's festivities. I accepted, of course. Clooney was being honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement, and besides, I hadn't seen him since his wedding in Venice!

Lilly Faye: I'll bet George was surprised to see you.

Dizzie: He sure was! I didn't get to spend as much time with him as I'd hoped, though. Turns out, Amal is the jealous type.

Lilly Faye: How so?

Dizzie: She kept trying to cut in between George and me.

Lilly Faye: Well, they are still newlyweds.

Dizzie: I'm just saying, she'd better give George some space, or that marriage isn't going to last.

Lilly Faye: There were so many big stars at the Golden Globes, what else can you tell us?

Dizzie: Brother and sister Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal came as each other's date. They were so supportive of each other, just being around them made me miss my sister Nettie.

Lilly Faye: I was watching the show on television, and I noticed Jennifer Aniston appeared to have a little trip or stumble when she got up from her table to present an award. Do you think that was the champagne?

Dizzie: No, that was me. I was lying by her chair, and she almost fell over me. 

Lilly Faye: It's good you cleared that up for us!

Dizzie: Meryl was really enjoying herself, even though she didn't win. She kept running her hands through my hair and saying, "You're a nice doggy. Who let you in?" I think it was the champagne talking.

Lilly Faye: Really?

Dizzie: I had a nice chat with Helen Mirren, who was nominated for her movie, The Hundred-Foot Journey. It's about restaurateurs. Helen said she thinks Frank would really like it.

Lilly Faye: We should put that one on our watch list.

I thought Tina Fey and Amy Poehler did a bang-up job opening the show, but then they disappeared until it was almost over. Did you see them backstage? What were they doing all that time?

Dizzie: You should ask Prince about that, Boss. I'm sworn to secrecy.

Dizzie: Okay, thanks Diz. I know our readers appreciate your behind-the-scenes report.

And there you have it, folks. Our congratulations to all of this year's nominees and winners. Well done!

Love,

Lilly Faye