The Fisher King (1991)

A former radio DJ, suicidally despondent because of a terrible mistake he made, finds redemption in helping a deranged homeless man who was an unwitting victim of that mistake.

Director:

Terry Gilliam

Writer:

Richard LaGravenese

Stars:

Jeff Bridges, Adam Bryant, Paul Lombardi

Won 1 Oscar. Another 16 wins & 20 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeff Bridges	...	Jack
Adam Bryant	...	Radio Engineer
Paul Lombardi	...	Radio Engineer
David Hyde Pierce	...	Lou Rosen (as David Pierce)
Ted Ross	...	Limo Bum
Lara Harris	...	Sondra
Warren Olney	...	TV Anchorman
Frazer Smith	...	News Reporter
Mercedes Ruehl	...	Anne
Kathy Najimy	...	Crazed Video Customer
Harry Shearer	...	Sitcom Actor Ben Starr
Melinda Culea	...	Sitcom Wife
James Remini	...	Bum at Hotel
Mark Bowden	...	Doorman
John Ottavino	...	Father at Hotel

Storyline

A madman carries out a massacre in a popular New York bar, after hearing the popular DJ Jack Lucas rail against Yuppies. Dejected by remorse, the DJ strikes up a friendship with Perry, former professor who became unhinged and then homeless after witnessing his wife's violent death in the bar shooting. Jack seeks redemption by helping Perry in his quest to recover what he believes is The Holy Grail, from the private Library of a New York Socialite and to win the heart of Lydia, the girl Perry has fallen in love with.

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Plot Keywords:

redemption | quest | love | massacre | professor | 

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Taglines:

A Modern Day Tale About The Search For Love, Sanity, Ethel Merman And The Holy Grail.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 September 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fisher King

Filming Locations:

101 Park Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$24,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$41,895,491 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

137 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first film directed by Terry Gilliam to not feature any other members of Monty Python.

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Goofs

When Jack dials Lydia's number, it's ended with "11". A couple minutes later, Anna is looking into the same phone book and dials the number ended with "38" or "30"

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Quotes

Anne Napolitano: Didn't you say that what you liked about our relationship is that we didn't have to think? We could just be there for each other.
Jack Lucas: Suicidal paranoiacs'll say anything to get laid.

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Connections

References At the Circus (1939)

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Soundtracks

"(You're) Having My Baby"
Written by Paul Anka

User Reviews

Heartbreakingly hysterical dramedy; one of my all-time faves

THE FISHER KING (1991) **** Robin Williams, Jeff Bridges, Mercedes Ruehl, Amanda Plummer, Michael Jeter, Tom Waits. Brilliant tragic-farce about a shock jock radio personality (Bridges in top form and criminally overlooked for an Oscar nod!) who goes over the brink into madness when he inadvertently causes a tragedy that he ends up reliving when he comes upon a homeless man (Williams equally brilliant, Best Actor nominee) that has become that way due to his actions. Repercussions and setbacks aside, intriguing character study despite some broad strokes. Daring direction by Terry Gilliam and Ruehl (Oscar winner, Best Supporting Actress) is dead-solid perfect as Bridges' taken for granted lover. Pathos and pathologies aplenty. Astonishing screenplay by Richard La Gravenese (who has a blink-n-miss cameo in the first asylum sequence; he's in a strait-jacket). Look sharp for Kathy Najimi as a video store patron Bridges insults and David Hyde Pierce as Bridges' agent.