January 23, 2004

From the Mirror, UK:

THE ONE THAT DIDN'T GET AWAY

by Joy Gold

Big Fish director Tim Burton on love, fatherhood and family life

He’s the lank-haired, oddball American director responsible for such classic movies as Batman, Edward Scissorhands and Sleepy Hollow. She’s the archetypal English rose.

Yet Tim Burton, 45, and Helena Bonham Carter, 37, are now Hollywood’s most loved-up couple. Helena gave birth to their first child, Billy Ray, three months ago and said that she may give up work to look after him.

Not so Tim, who has the Oscar-tipped drama Big Fish out this week. The film – which last year finished filming in Paris, where the pair spend much of their time – stars Ewan McGregor and is a trademark Burton fantasy about a man whose whole life has been one tall story.

Speaking of being a dad for the first time, Tim talks about the death of his own father in August 2002, meeting Helena and being eccentric.

How has becoming a dad changed you?



It’s funny, I did Big Fish, which is a lot about father and son relationships, before I had a son myself. Maybe it was in the air. I try not to make too many predictions about fatherhood. I think you just do the best you can and be as sensitive as you can and not make too many plans.

Also, losing my own father not long before brought up a lot of stuff, and it really points to a truth about parents and children – that when the parents are like hippies, the kids turn out to be straight arrows, and vice versa. It’s a classic juxtaposition, and something that really appealed to me about this story.

Was it hard finishing this film while Helena was pregnant?



It was actually fun because I could walk to work as it was close by, so we’d see each other all the time.

Do you want more kids?



(Laughs) Billy Ray’s only a few months old – give me a little more time! But I’m really enjoying being a father. It’s the weirdest thing and no one can prepare you for it, and how amazing and strange it is.

I’m still in shock, so I don’t quite know how I’ve changed yet. Once the shock wears off, if it ever does, I’ll be able to see better. Right now I feel like I’m on another planet.

How did you and Helena meet?



It was on Planet Of The Apes (in summer 2000), but I never really saw the real Helena, because she was always covered in make-up and hair. I didn’t hang out with the apes too much (laughs).

I think I only saw her as herself twice, but I guess that was enough. I could see she was beautiful under all that stuff. So we didn’t start seeing each other until after the film. And then it just happened.

What was so appealing about Helena when you first met?



She’s very funny and bright and sexy and I really just connected to her. And I was honestly surprised, as I wasn’t expecting it, but that’s always good in life when you’re not expecting something.

It’s also nice to be with someone who’s already been through all this showbiz stuff. She’s got a gravity to her that’s really nice and that I can relate to. And I think she’s like me in that she’s also misperceived a little – people think of her one way but she’s actually quite different. But then we’re all that way, aren’t we?

Is it true you live next door to each other in North London, in connected houses?



Yes, but it sounds weirder than it is. They’re artists’ studios, and it’s more that it’s a strange layout of rooms. They’re eccentric spaces really.

Everyone says you’re very eccentric. Do you feel that way?



Not at all, I feel very normal and Helena thinks I’m normal. Everyone has their little quirks. I don’t feel mine are that strange (laughs).

So will you get married and lead a normal married life?



I honestly don’t know. The main thing is that it all feels very good right now, so I think we’ll do things on our own schedule. We’re both strong individuals and maybe slightly eccentric but I think that works in our favour.

Helena says she finds you very childlike, like a seven-year-old. Do you think you’re like that?



No, but I do admit that I’m regressing and rediscovering the joys of burping and farting now we have a baby.

Didn’t you have a slightly troubled relationship with your father, Bill?



He was 69 when he died and I hadn’t really been that close to him. But in his last two years I’d made some lame attempts to try to connect a little bit. Then when it finally happens, all these mixed feelings come through.

It’s not until the very end do you realise, ‘Oh yeah, they are human beings and they’ve got a life and the same feelings everyone else has.’

Which of your films would you show your son?



I began watching monster movies before I could walk. Everyone’s different. He’ll probably be forced to watch movies I like.