My love for this movie knows no bounds. It is by far Tim Burton's best work. A modern Wizard of Oz, as has been said by numerous critics. Based on the Daniel Wallace novel, Big Fish is the perfect escape from the real world. It also, however, teaches the viewer a real-world lesson. Will calls his father at one point "Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy, all in one." Edward Bloom told stories to his son, unbelievable stories. He continued to tell those stories as his son aged. Thus, his son didn't take him seriously. The movie teaches us the importance of discerning fact from fiction. The importance of seeing exaggerations for what they are. But it also teaches us that the bond between parent and child goes both ways. Parents and children must listen to each other. In the case of Edward and his son, if they listen to each other, a balance between reality and fantasy can be found.