Did you know that this film is so British funny, that in 1989 it killed a man from Denmark? Ole Bentzen was his name, and he literally laughed himself to death during the scene where chips got stuffed up a stuttering mans nose. Sad but true story I'm afraid to say. Unlike this film Directed by Charles Crichton; and Starring: John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline and Michael Palin. It was made in 1988 and lasts for 104-minutes.
A Fish Called Wanda
A Fish Called Wanda
THE STORY:
Two American con-artists, Wanda Gershwitz and Otto West (Jamie
Lee Curtis and Kevin Kline), thought that they come up with the perfect plan.
Step One: Team up with British bad-guys, George Thomason and Ken Pile (Tom
Georgeson and Michael Palin), and steel some diamonds from the London
Diamond Exchange. Step Two: Double cross George, and secretly have him arrested
by the police. Step Three: Retrieve the stolen diamond from George's
hidey-hole, and then get away from England Scott Free.
Now I am sure that this sounds like a pretty straight
forward plan, don't you agree? However, just prior to George getting arrested,
he somehow manages to hide the diamonds in an unknown location, so when Wanda
and Otto go and swipe this stolen loot - ooops - panic stations!
OK, so what can they do to rectify this situation, huh?
Coerce stuttering Ken to tell them what George has done with their ill gotten
gains? No. Not happening. He does not know where the diamonds are anyway. Plus
he has his hands full at the moment, trying to kill off a witness who can
identify George.
Well, what about that key George gets Ken to hide away for
him then? Does that have any relevance at all? Nah! It's useless unless they
know what it unlocks. Although Wanda does get her hands on it and hides it upon
her person.
Oh! I know. What about George's legal council, Archie Leach
(John Cleese)? Maybe Wanda can use her womanly ways to get him to find out
where George has hidden the diamonds? Hmm. No. Afraid not. He's married. He's
British. And he is not allowed to speak to Wanda because she is associated with
George's case.
Nonetheless, you know what they say about a woman on the
prowl, right? Therefore, on numerous occasions, Wanda charms her way into
Archie's affections, and at each time, something strange, bad, and bizarre
happens to them both. Strange; because both the barrister and the con-artist get closer and
closer together. Bad; because Otto and Archie but heads - literally - causing
friction and descent to all in sundry. And bizarre, because... oh... that's too
damn difficult to explain!
Let me just say that what next transpires really kicks off
when an apology leads to a parting of ways. As crooks turn on crooks - lawyers
don't play by the books - a fish is mercilessly swallowed - and revenge is
something that can never truly be followed.
THE REVIEW:
Now in my own personal opinion, 'A Fish Called Wanda' is a
film without any flaws in it what so ever. OK, so maybe one flaw. The whole
love-story scenario between the characters played by John and Jamie did come
across a mite sparse in the execution. But apart from that - pow - perfectamundo mon cap-i-tan.
You see, from my own personal perspective, I find that this
movie is able to amalgamate so many different characters elements together -- so
well -- that you can hardly see the seams that fit the 'smaller parts' within the
'whole' (please excuse the visual imagery). For example: (1) John Cleese's
character of Archie is the everyman in this piece. He is the chap who is in a loveless
marriage and in a stuffy profession, yearning to break free from the shackles
of the mundane. You hardly see John over act in this film. If anything, his
performance is rather understated for the majority of the time. (2) My God.
Jamie Lee Curtis. What a fox she is. To me she is the spark of dangerous hope
that every middle-aged man secretly desires, but can never seem to grasp in
reality. Moreover, she plays the part of Wanda with such charm and elegance,
that I almost forgot she was in essence the 'bad guy' in this film! (3) If ever
Monty Python had an American branch of their troupe, Kevin Kline would surely
be a member of it. Honestly, through out this picture Kevin literally channels
his inner John Cleese, and is able to make Otto a silly, brash, and bold idiot
if ever I saw one. Just don't call him stupid, ha! (4) As ever with Michael
Palin, he pulls something out of the bag without it appearing disrespectful at
all. I am sure that if a lesser comedian performed his role of Ken, his
stuttering antics could have come across as crass and cheep to say the very
least. Not to Michael.
Hey! Do you know what? While I am in a bullet point mood,
please check out these filmic facts: (1) When this film was released, Michael
Palin founded the 'London Centre for Stammering Children', because a group of
stutterers applauded him for his performance in this picture. On a side note,
Michael's father had a stutter too. (2) The name of John Cleese's character,
Archie Leach, is the real name of actor, Cary Grant. Many a year ago John was
brought up about twenty miles away from where Cary
once lived. (3) This was director, Charles Crichton's, last film. He also
famously made 'The Lavender Hill Mob' as well. (4) Archie's daughter is played
by John Cleese's real daughter, Cynthia. (5) The fish that Kevin Kline ate from
the fish-tank is made out of jelly. Kevin wanted to eat a real fish though. (6)
Just like Basil and Sybil in the sit-com 'Faulty
Towers ', Archie and Wendy also
sleep in separate beds. (7) On the call sheets, Jamie Lee Curtis was listed as
'Jamie Lee Schwartz', because John Cleese found it funny that her
father, Tony Curtis, real name was 'Bernard Schwartz'. (8) John Cleese
studied law at Cambridge University ,
but never actually joined the bar. (9) The interior for
the 'friends flat' belonged to Nicholas and Juliet Lacey, and was located in Reeds
Wharf , Docklands, London . (10) This film
was enormously successful when it was released. Kevin Kline won an Academy
Award for best supporting actor. John Cleese and Charles Crichton received an
Academy Award nomination for best original screenplay. Jamie Lee Curtis got
nominated by the Golden Globes and by BAFTA for leading actress. And Michael
Palin won a BAFTA for the best supporting role.
Do I have to say any more than that? Huh? Overall 'A Fish
Called Wanda' is a classic slice of British cinema, and is up there with all of
the other great Python related comedies (click here for the Python section). My own favorite section of this film
is the last twenty minutes or so, because I felt that the overall piece shifted
gear, and delivered in providing a great conclusion to a great film. Also, all
of the scenes where people moved were very good too. Wouldn't you agree John?
Fair enough. Now piss off.
THE RATING: A
A FISH CALLED WANDA
Reviewed by David Andrews
on
September 05, 2012
Rating: