Screenplay data
Edward Bloom's estranged son, Will, returns home to reconcile with his dying father, a charismatic man whose life story is a tapestry of fantastical tales. As Edward recounts his extraordinary adventures, from witches and giants to a werewolf circus owner and winning the love of his life, Sandra, Will struggles to discern truth from fiction, even investigating his father's past. In his final moments, Edward asks Will to tell the story of his death, prompting Will to craft a beautiful, fantastical narrative of his father's grand farewell at the river, surrounded by characters from his life. At Edward's funeral, Will is surprised to find many of these eccentric characters in attendance, confirming the extraordinary truth within his father's tales and allowing Will to finally appreciate the magic of his life, a legacy he later shares with his own son.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Big Fish follows Will Bloom grappling with his father Edward’s fantastical life stories.
Open full beat sheetEdward Bloom is listed as Protagonist. A man who tells tall tales about his life; charismatic, larger than life. In the parsed data, Edward Bloom is connected to 48 scenes, 62 dialogue lines, 65 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
48 scenes / 62 dialogue linesWill Bloom is listed as Protagonist's Son. A journalist who struggles with his father's penchant for fabrication. In the parsed data, Will Bloom is connected to 25 scenes, 33 dialogue lines, 33 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
25 scenes / 33 dialogue linesSandra Bloom is listed as Edward's Wife. Practical, loving, and the subject of many of Edward's stories. In the parsed data, Sandra Bloom is connected to 17 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
17 scenes / 7 dialogue linesJosephine is listed as Will's Wife. Supportive, pregnant, and fascinated by Edward's stories. In the parsed data, Josephine is connected to 14 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
14 scenes / 1 dialogue linesJenny Hill is listed as Spectre Resident. A woman from Edward's past who lives in the town of Spectre. In the parsed data, Jenny Hill is connected to 12 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 27.
12 scenes / 1 dialogue linesKarl the Giant is listed as Edward's Friend. A massive man who joins Edward on his journey. In the parsed data, Karl the Giant is connected to 10 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 19.
10 scenes / 13 dialogue linesAmos Calloway is listed as Circus Owner. A small man with a big presence who runs the circus. In the parsed data, Amos Calloway is connected to 8 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 34.
8 scenes / 4 dialogue linesDr. Julius Bennett is listed as Physician. The town's first Black physician and a long-time family friend. In the parsed data, Dr. Julius Bennett is connected to 7 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
7 scenes / 6 dialogue linesNorther Winslow is listed as Poet. A poet from Ashton who seeks adventure. In the parsed data, Norther Winslow is connected to 6 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 24.
6 scenes / 2 dialogue linesDon Price is listed as Antagonist. Edward's childhood rival from Ashton. In the parsed data, Don Price is connected to 5 scenes, first appearing around scene 12.
5 scenes / 0 dialogue linesPing is listed as Siamese Twin. A performer who joins Edward on his journey. In the parsed data, Ping is connected to 3 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 45.
3 scenes / 1 dialogue linesJing is listed as Siamese Twin. Ping's sister and performer. In the parsed data, Jing is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 45.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesEdward tells young Will the story of catching The Beast on the day Will was born.
Edward Bloom, Will BloomEdward tells the story of using his wedding ring as bait to the Indian Guides.
Edward Bloom, Will BloomEdward tells a story to Will's date while Will and Sandra watch.
Edward Bloom, Will Bloom, Sandra BloomEdward gives a toast at Will's wedding, causing Will to leave in anger.
Edward Bloom, Will Bloom, Sandra Bloom, JosephineWill and Edward argue on the sidewalk after the wedding.
Edward Bloom, Will BloomWill receives a letter from his parents.
Will BloomSandra talks on the phone while Edward eats.
Edward Bloom, Sandra BloomSandra watches Edward swim in the pool.
Edward Bloom, Sandra BloomFlashback to Edward's birth.
Edward Bloom, Dr. Julius BennettWill and Josephine receive news about Edward's health.
Will Bloom, JosephineEdward tells young Will the story of the witch.
Edward Bloom, Will BloomYoung Edward and his friends approach the witch's house.
Edward Bloom, Don Price, Norther WinslowWill and Josephine arrive at the Bloom house.
Will Bloom, Sandra Bloom, Josephine, Dr. Julius BennettWill visits his ailing father Edward, who tells him stories about his past and his death.
Edward Bloom, Will BloomFlashback to young Will with chicken pox listening to Edward's stories.
Edward Bloom, Will BloomYoung Edward experiences a sudden growth spurt during a church service.
Edward BloomEdward explains his three-year confinement and discovery of the goldfish fact.
Edward BloomMontage of Edward's successes in Ashton as a young man.
Edward Bloom, Don PriceEdward confronts Karl the Giant.
Edward Bloom, Karl the Giant, Don PriceEdward and Karl leave Ashton.
Edward Bloom, Karl the Giant, Jenny Hill, Don PriceEdward takes the old road and encounters obstacles.
Edward Bloom, Karl the Giant, Norther WinslowEdward arrives in the town of Spectre.
Edward Bloom, Jenny HillEdward arrives in Spectre and meets Beamen and Jenny.
Edward Bloom, Jenny HillEdward eats pie while Jenny unties his shoes.
Edward Bloom, Jenny Hill, Norther WinslowJenny steals Edward's shoes and throws them on a power line.
Edward Bloom, Jenny Hill, Norther WinslowEdward talks to Norther Winslow about his poetry.
Edward Bloom, Norther WinslowEdward tries to save a woman from a snake, but it is a stick.
Edward Bloom, Jenny HillEdward leaves Spectre despite the town's celebration.
Edward Bloom, Jenny HillEdward struggles through the forest as trees try to block him.
Edward BloomEdward meets Karl the Giant.
Edward Bloom, Karl the GiantEdward tells a story about African parrots to Josephine.
Edward Bloom, Will Bloom, Sandra Bloom, JosephineWill and Sandra discuss their understanding of Edward.
Will Bloom, Sandra BloomEdward tells Josephine a story about a crow and the milkman.
Edward Bloom, JosephineEdward watches a circus performance and introduces Karl.
Edward Bloom, Karl the Giant, Amos CallowayEdward and Karl negotiate a contract with Amos Calloway.
Edward Bloom, Karl the Giant, Amos CallowayEdward sees a beautiful woman and time freezes.
Edward BloomEdward frantically searches for the woman he saw.
Edward BloomEdward talks to Amos about the woman he saw.
Edward Bloom, Karl the Giant, Amos CallowayMontage of Edward performing dangerous circus acts.
Edward BloomAmos reveals the woman's favorite flower.
Edward Bloom, Karl the Giant, Amos CallowayEdward encounters a hell hound.
Edward Bloom, Amos CallowayEdward confesses his love to Sandra.
Edward Bloom, Sandra BloomEdward fights Don Price.
Edward Bloom, Sandra Bloom, Don PriceEdward tells his story to Josephine.
Edward Bloom, JosephinePing and Jing change outfits while Edward hides in their closet. They discover him, and after a brief confrontation, Edward explains his situation using a photo of Sandra.
Edward Bloom, Jenny Hill, Ping, JingSandra receives news that Edward is dead, but later finds him standing in her backyard.
Edward Bloom, Sandra BloomWill and Josephine discuss Edward's stories and Will's resentment toward his father.
Will Bloom, JosephineWill attempts to have a serious conversation with Edward about his life, but Edward deflects with stories.
Edward Bloom, Will Bloom, Sandra Bloom, JosephineWill, Sandra, and Josephine search Edward's old files and find a telegram confirming he was missing in the war.
Will Bloom, Sandra Bloom, JosephineWill asks his mother about any other property the family might own.
Will Bloom, Sandra BloomWill visits Jenny Hill at her house in Spectre.
Will Bloom, Jenny HillWill confronts Jenny about her relationship with his father.
Will Bloom, Jenny HillWill stays with his father while Sandra and Josephine leave.
Edward Bloom, Will Bloom, Sandra Bloom, Josephine, Dr. Julius BennettWill wakes up to find his father struggling to breathe and asks him to tell the story of how he dies.
Edward Bloom, Will BloomWill narrates a story version of his father's escape from the hospital.
Edward Bloom, Will Bloom, Sandra Bloom, Josephine, Amos Calloway, Dr. Julius BennettEdward arrives at the river where everyone from his life is waiting to see him off.
Edward Bloom, Will Bloom, Sandra Bloom, Josephine, Karl the Giant, Amos CallowayWill finishes the story and Edward passes away peacefully.
Edward Bloom, Will BloomEdward's funeral is attended by many people from his stories, confirming their existence.
Will Bloom, Josephine, Karl the Giant, Amos Calloway, Jenny Hill, Dr. Julius BennettMine's Edward. And truthfully, I do want you to leave, Karl. But I want to leave with you. You think this town is too small for you, well, it's too small for a man of my ambition. I can't see staying here a day longer.
I am a footnote in that story. I am the context for your great adventure. Which never happened! Incidentally! You were selling novelty products in Wichita the day I was born.
I don't want to eat you. I don't want to eat anybody. It's just I get so hungry. I'm too big.
The problem is, you only see me as your mother, and not as someone's wife.
Tell me Karl, have you ever heard of the term 'involuntary servitude?'
And on the day you were born, that was the day I finally caught him.
I used to do it when you were gone, remember? I used to do it a lot.
This girl, the love of your life. Her favorite flower is daffodils.
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