Leah Gallo, The Weinstein CompanyThe walking dead, vampires and Johnny Depp do not appear in Tim Burton's newest film, but Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz do and bring the drama to a boiling point as they duke it out over paintings that appear to stare deep into your very soul.
In Big Eyes, which is based on a true story and is set in the 1950s and 1960s, the 40-year-old five-time-Oscar-nominated actress dons a coiffed blond wig and puts on a Southern accent to play Margaret Keane, a Tennessee artist whose soon-to-be-ex-husband has big eyes himself, for...her work. Her unusual and mesmerizing artwork consists of paintings of women and children with enormous eyes.
Waltz, a 57-year-old two-time Oscar winner and Inglorious Basterds alum, plays her spouse Walter Keane, who took credit for his wife's work for years and became famous for the pieces, which contained his signature.
"Sadly, people don't buy 'Lady Art.' The painting says 'Keane.' I'm Keane, you're Keane,'" he says in the film, flashing his trademark sardonic movie smile, as seen in a trailer released this week.
The public bought the charade and the Keanes became rich. Eventually, Margaret sought to reclaim her work. The dispute spurred a divorce and during one of the court hearings, the two engaged in a painting showdown to prove to the judge who the real artist is.
Big Eyes is Burton's first drama since Big Fish was released 11 years ago, in 2003. He is best known for directing and producing dark comedies such as Beetlejuice (which is getting a sequel), Edward Scissorhands, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Dark Shadows, as well as spooky animated movies such as Corpse Bride and The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Big Eyes also stars Breaking Bad and Veronica Mars alum Krysten Ritter and Wes Anderson film favorite Jason Schwartzman and is set for release on Dec. 25, Christmas Day.
Watch the trailer below.