A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

A Fish Called Wanda caught everybody by surprise. It was a low budget, silly English comedy that just exploded in popularity and has gone down as one of the great comedies of all time. The makers managed to capture literal lightning in a bottle that they have never been able to recreate. Years later when they got the same crew together for "Fierce Creatures" it just wasn't the same. In it we have Michael Palin, Jamie Lee Curtis and Kevin Kline playing a group of jewel thieves and how they're all backstabbing each other to get the loot to themselves. When the fourth member of their crew gets captured, thanks to an anonymous tip by Kevin Kline, it's John Cleese as the barrister who supposed to defend him in court.What follows is a series of events where the only witness to the crime is targeted for murder only to have her pets doe one by one. John Cleese and Jamie Lee Curtis wind up falling for each other. And Kevin Kline winds up stealing the show as the oversexed killer who misinterprets philosophy and thinks that killing is okay. He won the Oscar for best supporting actor for that role and he totally deserved it .It's one of those movies that you really need to see if you haven't already.

The movie is so witty and entertaining I thought it was better than any Monty Python flick I've ever seen, what with three of those players and Jamie Lee Curtis thrown into the mix. No doubt one needs to pay attention because the jewel caper at the center of the story carries with it an entire set of twists and turns before Wanda (Curtis) makes off with the prize. Many of the situations presented are patently absurd, but what the heck, they're made almost credible by a talented cast working with quick wits and a penchant for hilarity. Kevin Kline is particularly entertaining by being an irritating character; when he once again sniffed his armpit while hanging on for dear life outside the bedroom window I just about hit the floor. The trivia section here on IMDb states that John Cleese actually chose the name of Archie Leach as a tribute to Cary Grant because they were born only twenty miles apart and Cleese felt it was the closest he could ever get to being Grant. Personally, I thought the whole film might have been a tribute to Grant considering what a screwball comedy it was. If you're wondering why it's called "A Fish Called Wanda" you'll have to watch the picture. I wonder if Otto swallowed any of those fish by mistake.

A criminal gang, made up of George, his girlfriend Wanda and their associate Ken, are planning a massive diamond heist. Wanda brings in a fourth member, Otto, who she claims is her brother. In reality, Otto is her lover and the two are planning to double-cross George and Ken.Brilliantly clever and funny. Written by John Cleese, and you can see the Pythonesque touches in the script. Helps too that John Cleese and Michael Palin have prominent roles in the cast.Solid plot, so works pretty well as a crime-caper and not just as a comedy.Good performances from a star-studded cast: John Cleese, Jamie-Lee Curtis (as Wanda), Michael Palin (as Ken). However, it is Kevin Kline, as Otto, who steals the show. Incredibly funny and well deserved his Best Supporting Actor Oscar.

Definitely worth watching!! This Film comes from a period, when Movies were actually Laugh Out Loud Funny!!! The entire cast works beautifully together. Jamie Lee Curtis is so Sexy and so Perfect in this role! John Cleese is a constant entertaining Laugh!!! If only they made Movies this Hilarious now.......But they don't!!! I was 11 when this film was released. And first saw it when I was 18. Since then, I've watched it every year!!! And still, Laugh my Ass Off!!!Perfect date night, or Solo day/night movie. It only gets Funnier!