Shooting Fish (1997)

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

Director:

Stefan Schwartz

Writers:

Stefan Schwartz, Richard Holmes

Stars:

Dan Futterman, Stuart Townsend, Kate Beckinsale

3 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Dylan and Jez are con artists, Dylan is a charming American who's run from some characters in the states and Jez is an English techno nerd. During one of their scams selling a voice recognition computer they hire Georgie as a secretary for the job. The romantic triangle between Dylan, Jez and Georgie appears, but she is also not a secretary, but a student, and her marriage with rich Roger is upcoming.

---

Plot Keywords:

secretary | money | con artist | scam | orphan | 

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements, suggestive humor and language

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 May 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Atirando em Peixes

Filming Locations:

Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham, Dorking, Surrey, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$56,240, 3 May 1998

Gross USA:

$375,261

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$375,261

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gruber Bros, Tomboy Films, Winchester Multimedia PLC

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min 99 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

To research their roles as conmen, both Stuart Townsend and Dan Futterman spent time flogging perfume from a suitcase in London's busiest shopping area, Oxford Street.

---

Goofs

When Georgie stands up at the roof-top pond, she casts a shadow on the background sunrise.

---

Quotes

Georgie: I feel like Wedding-Day Barbie. I couldn't be happier.

---

Crazy Credits

The three blow-up dolls are listed among the cast in the closing credits as Frankie, Sally and Angie.

---

Alternate Versions

The UK Region-2 DVD is also missing the scene where the heroes' home is trashed by their former scam-victims while spouting praises of "Good Old England".

---

Connections

Referenced in Rewind This! (2013)

---

Soundtracks

In Pursuit of Happiness
Written by Neil Hannon
Performed by The Divine Comedy

User Reviews

Highly Recommended Viewing

I have seen this film so many times and never get sick of it. The casting is brilliant with Dan Futterman and Stuart Townsend in fantastic performances.

The plot is quite original following Dylan and Jez - two English con artists who are tricking people out of their money by selling voice recognition computers and other false devices. They need two million dollars to buy the house they never had - having grown up as orphaned children. On one of their scams they employ a secretary and medical student named Georgie, who is convinced they are raising money for an orphans project. This adds romantic themes into the story to make it even more entertaining. A stand out is the interesting relationship that Dylan and Jez have with each other, Dylan being the fast talking American and Jez being the British techno genius.

I recommend 'Shooting Fish' to all movie-goers. It has a great soundtrack, is funny, romantic, creative and a great achievement for British filmmaking.