A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

A Fish Called Wanda (1988) is a Dad Movie. You know, movies that find patronage among the nation's population of Dads. I remember my dad really liking this movie, but I was too young at the time to watch it. And then, unlike some of the other movies my dad was a fan of, I never found the time to sit down and watch it.

Until I started my Google search for iconic heist movies. And what do you know? A Fish Called Wanda showed up on multiple Best Of lists everywhere I turned my head.

So, I decided to give it a go.

I. What is It?

This is the story of a diamond heist, featuring a crew of wacky, treacherous thieves.

II. I Don't Really Feel One Way or the Other

I didn't really LIKE this movie. It was overly long, overly wacky, and so fucking 80s that it hurt. Kevin Kline won a Best Supporting Actor award for his performance as the Nietzsche-spouting American buffoon. And ya know? He's good... but... like... not Oscar good. Fight me.

The script is trying very hard to be clever and consistently falls short. The film feels, at times, like it's trying to be a Looney Toons cartoon come to life, but less compelling. At an hour-and-forty-eight-minutes, it isn't a terribly long film, but it sags in the middle, like a comedy sketch pulled too far.

But, here's the thing: I didn't hate it, either. I chuckled more than a few times. I always enjoy watching John Cleese do John Cleese. But. Eh.

I'm kind of lukewarm on the whole thing. And that's fairly damning praise in and of itself.

III. Jamie Lee Curtis is Awesome

Jamie Lee Curtis is awesome. She does great work as a comical femme fatale, here.

IX. Should You See It?

Is this your dad's favorite movie? Maybe give it a go in that case. Otherwise, just leave this one be. It isn't a waste of your time, but I can't in good conscience recommend it.

Miscellany

Nah.

Comments

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