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A Fish Called Wanda

A Fish Called Wanda

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Bust-Your-Gut Funny!
Review: This is by far the funniest movie I've ever seen. If you don't find this movie to be "sinfully funny" you don't have a sense of humor!

Kevin Kline pulled off one of the greatest movie performances of all-time. He definately deserved his Oscar award for his role as "Don't Call Me Stupid" Otto.

John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis & Michael Palin were magnificent.

Even animal lovers will laugh hysterically at Palin's attempts to "rub out" Cleese's witness!

This movie had so many great zingers (i.e. "I killed for the C.I.A.!), you'll find yourself laughing 10 years from now just thinking about "Wanda".

If you haven't seen it yet....what are you waiting for?

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: All-time Classic
Review: Congratulations to the American Film Institute for recognizing the hilarity of this movie and voting it one of the 100 Funniest Movies. I saw "A Fish Called Wanda" at the theater when it was first released and my friend and I laughed so loudly that we were almost asked to leave. It's just a great at home...plus people won't stare at you.

The performances of all four leads are exceptional, not just Kevin Kline's Oscar-winning Otto ("It means eight"). I've been a fan of John Cleese and Michael Palin forever and, whether Python fan or not, they'll have you rolling on the floor. Palin's stutter is brilliant especially when he's trying to tell Cleese the name of the hotel ("Sing it, Ken! Sing it!"). John Cleese is subtle and surprisingly real (I know, I was surprised too) and Jamie Lee Curtis is terrific.

In this age of Political correctness, it's fun to watch a movie that doesn't take itself too seriously. This movie is what a comdey movie should be: hysterically funny.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: I liked Fierce Creatures Better
Review: I had the opportunity to watch this after watching Fierce Creatures first. Actually, I was glad I saw that movie first, because I personally did not like this one. Wanda had a lot of potential and had a lot of witty things in it not tried before, yet, the crudeness made me a little tired.

Interesting to see how things lightened up in comedy in the 90's compared to this 1980's flick about crime. There were definately some very funny scenes, Kevin Kline showing up all the time was really fun, wondering what he would say when he did, and the gem to me was Michael Palin chasing after a witness that he trying to off. That had me in stiches.

I rated this movie a three because of the concept of attempting to get to the stash by whatever means possible was very clever. Cleese in court was outstanding. This movie will be liked by most, however, there is too much language and crudeness as you can see in the other reviews.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Are You Totally Deranged?
Review: Starting with the commonplace idea of a jewel robbery gone maniacally wrong, actor John Cleese and director Charles Crichton manage have created a madcap comedy that remains fresh, even after 10 years. George (Tom Georgeson), assisted by his girlfriend Wanda (Jamie Lee Curtis), his best pal Ken (Michael Palin) and Wanda's 'brother' Otto (Kevin Kline) has orchestrated a robbery that has only one fatal flaw - none of the participants have any intention of sharing the loot. In short order, double-crosses seem to grow on trees and George finds himself under arrest. It is only fitting that Wanda and Otto simultaneously discover that the jewels have been moved 'for safekeeping.'

It doesn't take very long for Wanda to figure out that her only hope of regaining the loot is through George's barrister, Archie Leach (John Cleese). Wanda works at seducing Leach while fighting of Otto's psychotic fits of jealousy. Ken, in the meantime, attempts repeatedly to kill the only witness, an elderly woman. Unfortunately, he manages to assassinate all three of her dogs in the process.

This is a set up for the combination of slapstick, vulgarity, and tongue-in-cheek comedy that British films are noted for and Americans love and it is delivered with an almost evil verve. Cleese is determined to take no prisoners, and the landscape is littered with car crashes, fallen masonry, savaged canines (fake savaged canines, please) and hapless victims. Only the fish (also called Wanda) has no funny lines, and fares no better than her companion 'Lunch' does.

The film has an R rating, which I think is exaggerated. In reality, its vulgarity and sexual innuendo are hardly noticeable when compared to what is accepted today. I certainly think teenagers can handle it without permanent damage, although you may have to explain to them that certain phrases don't bear repeating. At this price, expect a bare bones DVD. No added games, no interviews, just the film in French and English, in both wide screen and standard presentations. Even so, this is a classic comedy that will bear much watching.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Hilarious! A Must See!
Review: John Cleese and Michael Palin may be most famous for their Monty Python troupe, Jamie Lee Curtis for Halloween, and Kevin Kline for...being in movies, but one of their most memorable movies is the first one they did together. Which one? A Fish Called Wanda

Curtis is Wanda, part of a diamond group along with Ken (Palin), George Thomason (Tom Georgeson), and her "brother" Otto (Kline). They pull off a multi-million pound heist in England, and hide the loot. It seems, though, that Wanda and Otto (who aren't actually brother and sister but lovers) want it all for themselves. So they turn George into the police to try to find out where he hid the loot. It seems the only person George would have told about where the loot is would be his barrister Archie Leach (Cleese). So, naturally, Wanda goes up to him and becomes `friends' with him, much to the dismay of Otto.

A Fish Called Wanda is a twistful and delightful comedy that shows the new sex comedies that they don't need gross body functions to be funny. I'm not saying this movie is completely tasteful. Ken, who is an animal lover, accidentally kills dogs. But, it's not too explicit. It's actually very funny.

Most of the humor comes from Kline, who always shows up whenever Archie and Wanda are together, and who pretends he's gay and tries to get Ken. Some of those subplots, such as the gay one and Kline hating people that call him stupid, seem to not matter. But it is funny. Cleese's script is full of surprises. And most of these laughs were genuine, unlike the fakey ones from other movies. Who can forget Kline's shout whenever he's in the car? It is a memorable movie.

Kline puts up his best comedic performance, and deserved his Oscar for best supporting actor. He has excellent comedic timing, always putting the joke on at the right time. He had great chemistry with everyone; it seemed to blend in with the lifestyles of the others. Curtis (one of my favorite actresses)was excellent in a comedic role. Of course, Cleese and Palin are no strangers to comedy. Cleese seemed like a typical British person-stuck up and courteous. He actually talks about that during the film. Palin was great with a stutter that actually is an important part of the film.

It seems that A Fish Called Wanda thinks itself as `bad' and `let's offend everyone!' However, it's one of the more tasteful comedies I've seen recently. Its jokes are almost always funny and tasteful, with Kline's trigger-happy attitude that explodes every once in a while. This group, that came back for 1997's Fierce Creatures, were excellent and they look like they had fun together. Which is good for them. However, after the first forty minutes or so, the humor kind of wavers and it becomes a little uneven. There are still jokes, of course, but not as rapid-fire as the ones before. But considering the humor of the film in its entirety, it could be considered a moot point.

A Fish Called Wanda is a very hilarious comedy that you'll remember for a while, and looks like it can stick up for repeated viewings, because there are so many jokes you'll forget a lot of them.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Don`t Call This Fish a Classic
Review: Despite a couple of funny scenes (just funny, not really hilarious), this movie is average at best and highly disappointing. Some might say that "A Fish Called Wanda" is a masterpiece comedy, but frankly I fail to see what the hype is all about. Sure, there are a couple of quirky moments here, yet the plot is substandart, the directing is weak, the characters are not likable in the least and the acting shows signs of competence still isn`t all that great either. Overall, this effort is a mildly enjoyable cinematic experience that`s probably worth watching once if there`s nothing better around. Decent and tolerable, but a classic this is not.

Passable entertainment.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: An Absolute Keeper!
Review: Excellent comedies that really work are so very few and far between, but this beauty ranks among the best ever! Never before has John Cleese thrown so much humanity into a character; when he's smitten with Jamie Lee Curtis' character, he is absolutely head over heels in love, and it shows, and even more, it's believable! His character goes through and exhibits the full range of human emotions, and Cleese pulls it off masterfully. Kevin Kline is at the top of his game in this one--never again will I ever call anyone "stupid," lest they react like Kline's character does! Really one of this country's most under-rated actors (despite the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for this movie). And not to be left out, Jamie Lee Curtis and Michael Palin are SO perfect for their roles--what a riot! Palin's character in particular is a real study in bodily disintegration! No offense to dog lovers, but Palin's reaction to his attempts at knocking-off the elderly witness that actually results in the reduction of her band of pets is comedy at it's finest! Hilarious and touching all at the same time, Wanda is a rare gem among recent movies; excellent cast, great characters, hilarious story line, and dead-on dialogue. You'll be snickering long after it's over. And never again will you look at fishtanks, fish and chips, or old ladies out walking their little dogs, the same! Watch it and you'll completely understand!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Classic Comedy
Review: This movie is so extremely funny! It will appeal to Monty Python fans and Monty Python haters alike. This is because it isn't really "Pythonesque" in its humor, but Python fans will enjoy seeing John Cleese and Micheal Palin in different roles. I love this movie because the plot twists and turns; you never know who's going to end up with Wanda or the fortune until the very, very end. It's so well acted, too. Kevin Kline deserved the Oscar he won for it! You'd never guess Palin didn't have a stutter in real life, he acts so well. I'd reccomend this movie to anyone in the mood for a good laugh.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Don`t Call This Fish a Classic
Review: Despite a couple of funny scenes (just funny, not really hilarious), this movie is average at best and highly disappointing. Some might say that "A Fish Called Wanda" is a masterpiece comedy, but frankly I fail to see what the hype is all about. Sure, there are a couple of quirky moments here, yet the plot is substandart, the directing is weak, the characters are not likable in the least and the acting shows signs of competence still isn`t all that great either. Overall, this effort is a mildly enjoyable cinematic experience that`s probably worth watching once if there`s nothing better around. Decent and tolerable, but a classic this is not.

Passable entertainment.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Fun to watch
Review: Okay I watch this movie so much my poor videotape is begging me to put it out of it's misery. Which is why I will be getting the DVD of this soon. Backstapping and comedy, the perfect combination for this film. Well cast and just tons of fun to watch.


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