Bad Day to Go Fishing (2009)

A flamboyant impresario and an ageing ex-wrestling champion arrive in a small town, offering a hefty award to the local challenger. In fact, the promoter wants to rinse the spectators for every penny. But, is this a good day to go fishing?

Director:

Álvaro Brechner

Writers:

Álvaro Brechner, Juan Carlos Onetti (short story)

Stars:

Gary Piquer, Jouko Ahola, Antonella Costa

20 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gary Piquer	...	Orsini
Jouko Ahola	...	Jacob van Oppen
Antonella Costa	...	Adriana
César Troncoso	...	Heber
Roberto Pankow	...	Turco
Bruno Aldecosea	...	Grey
Alfonso Tort	...	Ronco
Cristian Casañol	...	Ronnie
Jorge Temponi	...	Jorge
Jenny Goldstein	...	Jessica
Enrique Vidal	...	Locutor
Rogelio Gracia	...	Herminio
Luis Lage	...	Rius
Ignacio Cawen	...	Fernandez
Isaac Wainberg	...	Abuelo

Storyline

Jacob van Oppen, the former strongest man on earth, and his manager Orsini, who calls himself "the Prince", make a good living by traveling around small South American towns and organizing wrestling exhibitions. Arriving in Santa Maria, they are met with uncommon enthusiasm, the local newspaper wants to sponsor the fight, helping hands placard the town with posters, and an open call is made for a worthy adversary. Ever so resourceful, Orsini knows how to find the right combatant, but fishing in Santa Maria could lead to a bigger catch than he'd hoped for.

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Plot Keywords:

wrestling | manager | newspaper | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Western

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Uruguay Spain

Language:

Spanish English

Release Date:

21 August 2009 (Uruguay)

Also Known As:

Bad Day to Go Fishing

Filming Locations:

Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay

Company Credits

Production Co:

Baobab Films, Expresso Films, Telespan 2000

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min 100 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Uruguay's official submission to 82nd Academy Award's Foreign Language in 2010.

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Quotes

Adriana: My boyfriend is going to fight that Champion. But first, you have to deposit the money.
Orsini: I'm sorry to tell you that there's already a Challenger.
Adriana: Why him and not my boyfriend?
Orsini: There can only be one contender.
Adriana: Why?
Orsini: The sad ceremony, young lady. Or is it that in this town you bury your men without a wake?

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Soundtracks

Funiculi Funicula
Written by Luigi Denza

User Reviews

Excellent Film

First off, I take issue with the description of the film, where it states- "Jacob van Oppen, the former strongest man on earth, and his manager Orsini, who calls himself "the Prince", make a good living by traveling around small South American towns and organizing wrestling exhibitions." Wrong. They do not make a good living. They are living a precarious existence. Jacob, a shadow of his former self and Orsini, a con-man who does not even have the 'mil dolares' to back up and finance his bets. They are leading a terrible life, are both alcoholics, and both know it. Orsini is a self-described Italian Prince, but no one dare ask what he is doing, taking seedy bus trips, promoting a washed-up wrestler, all over South and Central America.

In any case, it's an excellent film. Jacob has become brain damaged from his years of wrestling and self abuse, he has reverted back to the mental state of a child. Not only that, he is bi-polar or has other mental issues which he takes medication for. As if that were not sad enough, Jacob also has some serious health issues. Although it has many comedic moments, it is nonetheless a sad film. It takes place in a fictional, back-water, town in Uruguay, in 1962. The acting and cinematography are all top notch. Jacob is somewhat devastated when he finds out the Orsini has been "fixing matches for him" and hand-picking opponents that insure Jacob wins the matches every time. The ending is brilliant and everything leads up to the final match at the end, where due to events in the town of Santa maria, Jacob must face a very tough opponent.