The Fisher King (1991)
Cert: 15 / 131 mins / Dir. Terry Gilliam / Trailer
Considering how much I enjoy Terry Giliam's work, it repeatedly surprises me how many of his films I haven't seen (The Fisher King is the first of his movies in this string of reviews, but it won't be the last).
When New York shock-jock Jack's radio career disintegrates after some poorly chosen on-air advice, a chance meeting with a homeless man named Parry offers a chance at personal redemption. But their lives are more intertwined than either of them knew, and they have much to teach - and give - each other...
Always one for a mythical, symbolic quest, The Bonus Python brings us a smart-mouthed tale of psychological collapse, reinforcement and resurgence in a delightfully filthy Big Apple, which feels like Woody Allen helming a mashup of Clerks and Blade Runner (for all the right reasons). His skillful players for this task are Jeff Bridges, Mercedes Ruehl (who won an Oscar for her performance, no less), Amanda Plummer, and of course the magnificent Robin Williams who gets to give his full range in this film, yet always under Gilliam's guidance.
The Fisher King is funny, sad, engrossing and utterly charming in a way which few other movies manage, and it's really down to the chemistry of the cast (including Michael Jeter as a down-and-out stage diva, who very nearly outshines Williams himself). The film's core story is layered with metaphor, both obvious and subtle, meaning I'll be watching this for a few years yet. Marvellous stuff.
That said, the posters in the video store for Gilliam's Brazil and Baron Munchausen are a bit of a heavy-handed touch, no?
Really; it's just never crossed my path.
Certainly am.
Certainly would.
Pretty sure there's one in the hospital scene, yeah.
Robin Williams appeared in The Butler*1, a film which starred Forest Whitaker, who'll be appearing in the Star Wars Anthology*2, film, Rogue One.
*1 Because the film is called "The Butler", not "Lee Daniels' The Butler". This isn't fucking well Phoenix Nights…
*2 At least is was 'Star Wars Anthology', until this week when it's started being officially billed as 'Rogue One - A Star Wars Story. Whatever: "Star Wars: Rogue One" will do me.
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• ^^^ That's dry, British humour, and most likely sarcasm or facetiousness.
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