Big fish in a small pond… The big one that got away – how do these familiar expressions fit into the story of the film? How does the element of water figure into the imagery and ideas of the story? Is Edward Bloom self-centered or unselfish? What leads you to that conclusion? What motivates Edward to live his life the way he has? How does Edward see himself and the world? How do people change after meeting Edward? How would you contrast Will and Edward, especially in their understanding of story? In what way does Sandra Bloom interpret Edward and the story for us? To a lesser degree, Jenny and Dr. Bennett? How does the film comment on the truthfulness and importance of story? Josephine asks Will, “Do you love your father?” Why does Will have such a hard time answering the question? What does the film teach us about love? When Sandra joins Edward in the bathtub, what does she mean when she says, “I don’t think I’ll ever dry out?” The story of the film has 3 endings: one in the hospital, one at the funeral, and one in the swimming pool. How do these 3 endings work together? Helena Bonham Carter plays both the witch in the early scenes of the film and Jenny. How are these 2 characters complementary? Who is the big fish? How do you catch a big fish?
Questions for discussion:
Big fish in a small pond… The big one that got away – how do these familiar expressions fit into the story of the film?
How does the element of water figure into the imagery and ideas of the story?
Is Edward Bloom self-centered or unselfish? What leads you to that conclusion?
What motivates Edward to live his life the way he has?
How does Edward see himself and the world? How do people change after meeting Edward?
How would you contrast Will and Edward, especially in their understanding of story?
In what way does Sandra Bloom interpret Edward and the story for us? To a lesser degree, Jenny and Dr. Bennett?
How does the film comment on the truthfulness and importance of story?
Josephine asks Will, “Do you love your father?” Why does Will have such a hard time answering the question? What does the film teach us about love?
When Sandra joins Edward in the bathtub, what does she mean when she says, “I don’t think I’ll ever dry out?”
The story of the film has 3 endings: one in the hospital, one at the funeral, and one in the swimming pool. How do these 3 endings work together?
Helena Bonham Carter plays both the witch in the early scenes of the film and Jenny. How are these 2 characters complementary?
Who is the big fish? How do you catch a big fish?