I knew nothing about this before I watched it, and didn't even know much about Margaret Keane's paintings, but I was utterly gripped by it and found the experience incredibly emotional, even more so that it was also a biopic. I was also thrilled that Tim Burton was back to producing such a strong film.
Margaret is a brilliantly underrated painter in 1950s America, producing stunning pictures of wide eyed children, but her work goes unnoticed by the public, and she begins to lose hope and motivation. Enter Walter, a suarve yet smarmy character who also claims to be an artist (although there is no proof that he is). They strike up a friendship and get married. But Walter isn't all he seems, and with many people, money is his real goal. Desperate to cash in on Margaret, he suggests a deal - that he take credit for her work by signing his name and distributing cheap prints, which at the same times gives her art the recognition it needs. She will get an audience for her pictures, and he will become a famous personality. Margaret somewhat naively agrees, believing that this is the only way her art will get seen. Before long Walter is on a power trip, demanding paintings constantly from Margaret while she works quietly in a little back room in their house. Sooner or later, Margaret realises that this way of life is completely unfair, and it devastates her to see her unique work being flaunted and bragged about by her money-hungry husband who has become quite the household name. When she comes clean to the world that the art is actually hers, Walter cannot deal with having the limelight taken away from him, and refuses to accept her statement.
I found the story powerful, insightful and completely ruthless, as well as the storyline tugging at my heartstrings. How sad to be so utterly talented and not be able to express your connection to your work to the outside world. A tense and devastating look into the intense relationship between Margaret and Walter Keane.
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