A FISH CALLED WANDA
A film review by Steve Robiner
Copyright 1988 Steve Robiner
Director: Charles Chrichton Screenplay by John Cleese Produced by Michael Shamberg Starring John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, Michael Palin, and Wanda.
Seen at: USC, Norris Theater, July 14th
This is one of those rare films that's as structurally sound as it is hilariously funny. The timing, characters, and the absurd situations are perfect and will be appreciated by even those who don't generally care for Monty Python humor (of which John Cleese and Michael Palin are co-founders). By the way, those who do will absolutely love this movie.
The basic premise of four double-crossing criminals trying to outsmart each other in order to find their hidden loot is well constructed and just intricate enough to be interesting without becoming unmanageable. Perhaps the best part of this film is the wild and outrageous characters that Cleese has come up with. Curtis and Kline, both normally dramatic actors, pull off comic roles like old pros and easily fit in with mainstays Cleese and Palin.
A true test for a great comedy: it is even funnier when you think back on it afterwards and get a bigger laugh. A FISH CALLED WANDA definitely fits this bill as a brilliant comedy a must see! A + .
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