A Fish in the Bathtub (1998)

Sam (Jerry Stiller) and Molly (Anne Meara) are a classic bickering old couple, and their marriage has been forty years of sparring. Yet, when Sam refuses to move the carp he's keeping in ... See full summary »

Director:

Joan Micklin Silver

Writers:

John Silverstein, David Chudnovsky

Stars:

Jerry Stiller, Anne Meara, Mark Ruffalo

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jerry Stiller	...	Sam
Anne Meara	...	Molly
Mark Ruffalo	...	Joel
Jane Adams	...	Ruthie
Missy Yager	...	Sharon
Paul Benedict	...	Milo
Doris Roberts	...	Frieda
Louis Zorich	...	Morris
Phyllis Newman	...	Sylvia Rosen
Val Avery	...	Abe
Bob Dishy	...	Lou Moskowitz
Jonathan Hogan	...	Eldon Krantz
Rose Arrick	...	Rose
Pamela Gray	...	Tracy Laughlin
Mordecai Lawner	...	Bernie

Storyline

Sam (Jerry Stiller) and Molly (Anne Meara) are a classic bickering old couple, and their marriage has been forty years of sparring. Yet, when Sam refuses to move the carp he's keeping in their spare bathroom, Molly becomes fed up and unexpectedly leaves. Molly moves in with their grown son and starts dating an old friend. The couple's daughter convinces Sam to try to win his wife back and rediscover his own sense of romance.

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Plot Keywords:

f rated | title directed by female | independent film | 

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Taglines:

The fish stays...the marriage goes! A comedy about long term relationships.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language and some sexual content

User Reviews

Sweet Little Movie about Older Love

This movie will not appeal to young people who think their grandparents are dinosaurs and their lives don't matter a bit. But, for all those beyond puberty you will enjoy this sweet, sensitive movie about getting old and being married. It moves at a slower pace than a younger audience can handle. The music is from the 40's and sets the tone of the piece as a bevy of excellent older character actors go through the emotions of a long time couple looking back at their lives and wondering if they are happily married after all these years.

I think this movie should be required watching for anyone getting married. The children from the family also look at their own lives as they watch what their parents are going through and wonder, should they also be re considering their own situation.

I watched this to see some real old pros at work again together and I was not disappointed. I haven't seen Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara (Ben Stiller's parents for those that don't remember them) together in many years. Add in the wonderful Doris Roberts and the then young upcoming actor Mark Ruffalo and you have a nice round cast. If you decide to watch it without high expectations you will have a nice surprise.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

March 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Fish in the Bathtub

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,237, 10 November 2019

Gross USA:

$1,237

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,237

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color