A Fish Called Wanda Reviews

1988

Rated:
70
from 20,997 members

In A FISH CALLED WANDA, veteran director Charles Crichton and scriptwriter-star John Cleese create a dazzling quilt from various strands of English and American comedy. The plot, in which four disparate characters attempt a daring heist, comes from Ealing caper comedies, such as Crichton's own THE LAVENDER HILL MOB. Cleese and .. Read more

Starring	John Cleese, Michael Palin, Kevin Kline, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director	Charles Crichton
Genres	Comedy

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Critics' reviews (3) of A Fish Called Wanda
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Audiences around the world were not alone in appreciating this sparkling British-set comedy, as stars John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline and Michael Palin so enjoyed the experience that they went on to make a second feature together, the sadly disappointing Fierce Creatures. The comic credentials are impeccable, for not only were Cleese and Palin Monty Python colleagues, but director Charles Crichton was also responsible for those Ealing classics Hue and Cry, The Lavender Hill Mob and The Titfield Thunderbolt. The American pair more than play their part, however, with Kline wonderfully manic as the unhinged Otto and winning a best supporting actor Oscar in the process. The film even had the unlikely effect of making Cleese something of a sex symbol. A real belter.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
Deft, blackish comedy with a little romance thrown in; its humour relied too much on Cleese's familiar, if expert, performance as an overbearing, uptight buffoon.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
A perfectly old-fashioned romantic comedy, big on caper, generous on Ealing, and heavy on the twisted stereotypes.... read more on Time Out
- Time Out
- Posted 04 Nov 2008
Most helpful members' reviews (3) of A Fish Called Wanda
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10 out of 11 people found this review helpful

An 80s classic

A bit dated, but do watch this, as it's a great ensemble cast that will really make you laugh. Don't bother with the 'sequel', Fierce Creatures, though.
- - A customer from Notting Hill, London
  - Posted 17 Sep 2003 03:25
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

classic comedy

well written very funny film
- - A customer from mars
  - Posted 23 Nov 2004 17:34
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

Delightful and Charming

Anyone with a sense of humor is bound to like this movie. Light heartedness, excellent timing and great deliver iare the elements missing in more recent comic films.
- - A customer from Winchester
  - Posted 04 Nov 2006 16:09
Most recent members' reviews (2) of A Fish Called Wanda
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Good laugh

I thought this film was very good and both my wife and I laughed throughout. Well worth watching.
- - A customer from Northants
  - Posted 13 May 2005 12:11
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

A Classic

If this film no longer seems quite as original or as funny as it did when it was in theatres, it's only because so many other films have tried to copy its successful blend of physical and intellectual comedy. How many have you seen that manage to draw humour out of both chips-up-the-nose *and* Nietzsche with equal finesse? It's a stellar ensemble piece and the truly standout comedy of the time.
- - landj from London
  - Posted 01 Feb 2007 13:32

10 out of 11 people found this review helpful

An 80s classic

A bit dated, but do watch this, as it's a great ensemble cast that will really make you laugh. Don't bother with the 'sequel', Fierce Creatures, though.
- - A customer from Notting Hill, London
  - Posted 17 Sep 2003 03:25
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

classic comedy

well written very funny film
- - A customer from mars
  - Posted 23 Nov 2004 17:34
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

Delightful and Charming

Anyone with a sense of humor is bound to like this movie. Light heartedness, excellent timing and great deliver iare the elements missing in more recent comic films.
- - A customer from Winchester
  - Posted 04 Nov 2006 16:09
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful

we love wanda

Welcome back the great british comedy!chips up your nose and eat a fish ,not too much python ,but enough to keep cleese fans entertained.great fun for a saturday night,just like ealing comedies of yesterday(ladykillers)etc.otto is superb.
- - A customer from uk
  - Posted 24 Jul 2004 unknown
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

Classic Brit comedy

Hadn't seen this for a while so thought I'd rent it, I still love it's quick wit and clear British humour, a winner every time. If you've never seen this then rent it now, you won't be disappointed.

If you have seen it, I'd recommend the sequel, 'Fierce Creatures', another good film, but not quite as good as this. Enjoy!
- - andrew9 from london
  - Posted 02 Jun 2005 18:00
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

A laugh a minute

Saw it years ago but forgot how funny it was. Full of bad language but if you can get over that you'll be fine. The casting is great.
- - A customer from Scotland
  - Posted 30 Nov 2004 15:13
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

Classic comedy at its best

If you dont mind foul language then this film has everything else to make you laugh. Brilliant performances. Very funny.
- - Karen Ward from Berkshire, England
  - Posted 11 Nov 2006 12:59
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

A Classic

If this film no longer seems quite as original or as funny as it did when it was in theatres, it's only because so many other films have tried to copy its successful blend of physical and intellectual comedy. How many have you seen that manage to draw humour out of both chips-up-the-nose *and* Nietzsche with equal finesse? It's a stellar ensemble piece and the truly standout comedy of the time.
- - landj from London
  - Posted 01 Feb 2007 13:32
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Pleasant surprise

John Cleese is excellent in this film, if a little predictable and Jamie Lee Curtis surprised me because her acting is so different from that in Halloween, the only other film I had seen her in. The ending is not at all what I expected, which is a rarity amongst modern films; overall the film is well worth a watch.
- - Sarah from Milton Keynes, England
  - Posted 03 Jun 2004 11:33
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Another Funny Film!

Well This Film Is Funny, John Cleese The Actor Really Makes This Movie Out To Be What It Is, The Story Line Is Good Aswell.
- - Pete Smith/tina from In The Uk
  - Posted 30 Nov 2004 14:25

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Critics' reviews (3)
Audiences around the world were not alone in appreciating this sparkling British-set comedy, as stars John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline and Michael Palin so enjoyed the experience that they went on to make a second feature together, the sadly disappointing Fierce Creatures. The comic credentials are impeccable, for not only were Cleese and Palin Monty Python colleagues, but director Charles Crichton was also responsible for those Ealing classics Hue and Cry, The Lavender Hill Mob and The Titfield Thunderbolt. The American pair more than play their part, however, with Kline wonderfully manic as the unhinged Otto and winning a best supporting actor Oscar in the process. The film even had the unlikely effect of making Cleese something of a sex symbol. A real belter.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
Deft, blackish comedy with a little romance thrown in; its humour relied too much on Cleese's familiar, if expert, performance as an overbearing, uptight buffoon.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
A perfectly old-fashioned romantic comedy, big on caper, generous on Ealing, and heavy on the twisted stereotypes.... read more on Time Out
- Time Out
- Posted 04 Nov 2008