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, Robin Williams, Adam Bryant

Won 1 Oscar. Another 13 wins & 35 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

After hearing a popular DJ rail against yuppies, a madman carries out a massacre in a popular New York bar. Dejected and remorseful, the DJ strikes up a friendship with Parry, a former professor who became unhinged and then homeless after witnessing his wife's violent death in the bar shooting. The DJ seeks redemption by helping Parry in his quest to recover an item that he believes is the Holy Grail and to win the heart of the woman he loves.

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Plot Keywords:

holy grail | redemption | massacre | friendship | video store | 

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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:

27 September 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fisher King

Filming Locations:

New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$24,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$311,662, 22 September 1991, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$41,895,491

Company Credits

Production Co:

TriStar Pictures,Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

138 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

A nod to Charles Chaplin can be seen in the group of singers at the end of the movie.

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Goofs

After the double date dinner when Ann and Jack are walking back to her apartment above the video store, you can see a storefront whose marquee says the address is on Ann Street. The Video Spot t-shirts proclaims the store to be on Duane Street.

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Quotes

Anne Napolitano: You're not so invisible. You want a personality? Try this on for size: you can be a real bitch sometimes.
Lydia: [Lydia begins to smile and starts laughing] Really...?
Anne Napolitano: [smiling] Yeah!
Lydia: [laughing] Wow!
Anne Napolitano: I know, I know - it feels great!

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Connections

Referenced in Criminal Minds: The Fisher King: Part 1 (2006)

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Soundtracks

Lydia The Tattooed Lady
Written by E.Y. Harburg & Harold Arlen

User Reviews

This movie should be on everyone's "must-see" list

A touching yet humorous tale, THE FISHER KING brings together amongst the best performances given by Robin Williams and Jeff Bridges, as well as Terry Gilliam's finest directorial effort. Solid supporting performances by Amanda Plummer and Mercedes Ruehl round out a great film that ranks among my personal favorites.

Bridges portrays an arrogant radio shock-jock, who's big mouth and flippant comments send a disturbed listener on a murderous rampage, thus ending his career. Enter Ruehl as his new enabler girlfriend, waiting patiently for him to drag himself up from the dregs, hoping to catch a ride to the top. Just when Bridges seems to have hit rock bottom, he encounters Williams, a crazed vagrant who thinks he is a knight in shining armor.

What ensues is a tale of remorse, redemption and rebirth which is made all the more magical by Gilliam's magnificent vision. Most notable is a scene which takes place in Grand Central Station where the hustle and bustle of the busy commuters dissolves into a spectacular waltz as Williams follows Plummer, the woman of his dreams. Gilliam's style makes Williams delusions come alive as the character makes the slow journey from trauma-induced insanity to stark, yet hopeful, reality.

Every character in this film undergoes a metamorphosis, each learning from the others along the transformation. It is a beautiful film to watch, and an achievement to all involved that subject matter of such depth can come across with such humor and with such beauty.