FISH CALLED WANDA, A (1988, UK/USA, 108m, 15) ****
Comedy, Crime
dist. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (USA), United International Pictures (UIP) (UK); pr co. Prominent Features / Star Partners Limited Partnership; d. Charles Crichton; w. John Cleese (based on a story by John Cleese and Charles Crichton); pr. Michael Shamberg; ph. Alan Hume (Technicolor | 1.85:1); m. John Du Prez; ed. John Jympson; pd. Roger Murray-Leach; ad. John Wood.
cast: John Cleese (Archie), Jamie Lee Curtis (Wanda), Kevin Kline (Otto), Michael Palin (Ken), Maria Aitken (Wendy), Tom Georgeson (George), Patricia Hayes (Mrs. Coady), Geoffrey Palmer (Judge), Cynthia Cleese (Portia), Mark Elwes (Customer in Jeweler’s Shop), Neville Phillips (Manager of Jeweler’s Shop), Peter Jonfield (Inspector Marvin), Ken Campbell (Bartlett), Al Ashton (Warder), Roger Hume (Locksmith), Roger Brierley (Davidson), Llewellyn Rees (Sir John), Michael Percival (Percival), Kate Lansbury (Magistrate), Robert Ian Mackenzie (Copper).
An anarchic blend of old Ealing comedy and manic Monty Python humour to conjure up a winning formula. Cleese plays a lawyer defending Georgeson on charges of robbery, whilst the latter’s accomplices, Curtis, Kline and Palin each have their agendas to fulfil to escape to South America with the stolen goods. Ealing veteran directs Cleese’s madcap script with an assured hand. The cast has a dynamic interactive chemistry, from Cleese’s stuck-up lawyer to Curtis’ nymphomania, Kline’s Oscar-winning insanity and Palin’s stuttering animal lover. The result is a witty and frequently funny caper comedy that is highly entertaining.
AA: Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Kevin Kline).
