Shooting Fish (1997)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Stefan Schwartz

Writers:

Stefan Schwartz (writer) &
Richard Holmes (writer)

Release Date:

1 May 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

As con artists they were hard to beat. But they were easy targets for LOVE.

Plot:

Two con artists' plan to steal enough for a house are twisted when a pretty girl enters the picture.

Plot Keywords:

Con Artist | Scam | Orphanage | Horse Racing | Geek

Awards:

3 wins

Cast

Rowena Cooper	...	Jez's Teacher
Scott Charles	...	Samuel
Antonia Corrigan	...	Antonia
Myles Anderson	...	Jez - Age 8
Jane Lapotaire	...	Dylan's Headmistress
Harry Ditson	...	IRS Man
Jacob Macoby	...	Dylan - Age 8
Dan Futterman	...	Dylan
Tom Chadbon	...	Mr. Greenaway
Kate Beckinsale	...	Georgie
Stuart Townsend	...	Jez
Phyllis Logan	...	Mrs. Ross
Vicki Bensted	...	Bank Clerk
Peter McNamara	...	Geoff
Ralph Ineson	...	Mr. Ray

Also Known As:

The Entrepreneurs (UK) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic elements, suggestive humor and language.

Runtime:

109 min | USA:103 min | UK:99 min (DVD version)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | Germany:6 | Argentina:13 | Canada:PG | Chile:14 | Finland:S | France:U | Norway:7 | Portugal:M/12 (video premiere) | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, Muswell Hill, London, England, UK

Company:

Gruber Bros

Trivia:

During filming, animal rights activists showed up with the intention to make sure all the fish were treated correctly. After viewing the script, and realizing that the title of the film was really more about cheating 'fish' that actually shooting it, they left somewhat embarrassed.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: Dylan says Stanley Grove is in SW19 but in fact it is in SW8.

Quotes:

[helium voice]
Jockey: I knew if he got the right conditions we'd be flyin'.

Movie Connections:

References "Blind Date" (1985)

Soundtrack:

Neighbourhood

Charming

If this quirky British comedy could be summed up in a word, that word would be "charming".

The story is a simple, low-budget British one: two orphans scam as many people as they can for as much money as they can in an effort to buy the stately home they always dreamed of as children.

Everything is going swimmingly, until they join forces with a typist, Georgie (the perfect Kate Beckinsale), and the plot leads on from there...

The acting is perfect for the film, neither overstated nor low key, and suits the plot and style very well. The direction is quirky, but makes no new ground, and also fits the script to a tee.

This film would be great viewing for a date (perhaps not for a lads night in), and has the simple comedy you might expect from such classic British TV series as "Only Fools and Horses", or "Last of the Summer Wine".

It doesn't require much brain power, but is one of the best homegrown (British) comedies of recent(ish) years.