Realism in film gives the audience a greater connection to films and the characters in them. Big fish uses many aspects of Magical Realism to explore the life and times of Edward Bloom. Fish Tank uses British Neo-Realism to follow Mia in her young adult years. Magic realism is used to combine realistic narratives and fantastical elements. Neo-Realism is representing a modified form of realism. Magical realism allows views to see the truth through metaphors, this gives us a more positive outlook on the life of Edward Bloom. British Neo-Realism explores the modern life in a very low income setting. The use of Magic Realism allows us a greater understanding of the lives explored within films.
Magical realism is a genre where the unreal elements…show more content… The major element is the big fish in the river, or the smartest fish in the world. No matter what story Edward Bloom is telling his friends and family he ends up telling them about the giant catfish that could never be caught. He realized the fish was not in fact a fish but rather a thief that had died on the bank of the river. In the end he lured the fish with his wedding ring and had to chase after it to get back his wedding ring. Edward missed his own sons birth and instead of the dull reality of a business trip. Edward Bloom’s stories included many flashbacks to his childhood. This included a giant living near his home and traveling to a town called Spectre. The town is a perfect oasis from Edward’s everyday life. While both the giant and town seem fantastical to the audience the characters in the stories feel this is the logical truth. Big Fish shows a man that makes the most out of the life he has. While many things may be embellished he adds magic to his family and friends lives and leaves them with happiness and…show more content… The scenes are on location instead of built on a sound stage or around a green screen. The camera follows Mia, the main character, or views the world as she sees it. Viewers see her life the good the bad and the ugly. Viewers are not limited to just the important parts. Mia’s existence is document completely for the duration of the movie. The viewers do not get to see all sides of the story, the view is very limited to what Mia sees and what she knows. The director, Andrea Arnold, uses a nonjudgmental observational style to explore her characters life. She explores the character as truthfully as she can without researching the topic or deciding on exploring a specific issue but rather from the character outward (Fuller). The message of this film is brought out through a very personal look into Mia’s life. Everything is explored through the gray areas making the audience member look deeper into their own thoughts. Mia feels caged in her home much like a fish feels in their tank. Her mother’s boyfriend gives her a new sense of hope when he encourages her dancing. This is extinguished by a sexual relationship and the realization the man has a wife and a daughter. Mia also learns that her only likely career as a dancer is as a stripper. To escape her cage Mia leaves her family entirely giving up one thing in hope to receive