Film Review: A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

There are many ways to measure quality of a comedy, but few are as direct as someone literally dying from laughter while watching it. Danish audiologist Ole Bentzen brought that dubious honour to A Fish Called Wanda, 1988 British film directed by Charles Crichton, which, despite that morbid detail, became remembered as one of the most successful comedies of its time.

The plot is set in London where local gangster George Thomason (played Tom Georgeson) plans ambitious diamond heist. He has hired two Americans to carry it out – sexy female con artist Wanda (played by Jamie Lee Curtis) and her violent boyfriend Otto (played by Kevin Kline), whom she presents as her brother. The plan works and the gang gets 20 million US$ worth of diamonds, but Wanda and Otto want to take the loot for themselves; in order to get rid of George, they tip police who arrest him. However, when they try to get the diamonds, they realised that George has them stashed away with the help of his loyal stuttering henchman Ken (played by Michael Pallin). The only way to find the stash is through George’s barrister Archie Leach (played by John Cleese) and Wanda starts seducing him. This isn’t hard because middle-aged Archie is trapped in loveless marriage with his rich and domineering wife Wendy (played by Maria Aitken) and easily falls in love with attractive American. This, however, causes problems for pathologically jealous Otto who would inadvertently sabotage his own plan.

A Fish Called Wanda represented symbolic pairing of two personalities which, each in his way, marked different eras in history of British comedy. Director Charles Crichton was veteran of 1950s Ealing comedies, with 1951 film The Lavender Hill Mob being celebrated as British cinema classic. John Cleese, who apart from starring, also wrote the script (and whose real life daughter Cynthia appears in the role of Archie’s teenage daughter), had gained fame as member of legendary Monthy Python comedy troupe, together with Michael Pallin who appears in the role of Ken. There is also reference to another great British cinema legend – Classic Hollywood star Cary Grant whose real name Archibald Leach is used for Cleese’s character. But even the viewers who care little for British film and television history would probably appreciate A Fish Called Wanda as a film that put immense comedic talents of all its participants to the best possible use.

Despite being 78 years at the time and returning from more than two decades of retirement, Charles Crichton directs film with great confidence and dynamism. The plot is very complicated, but the audience wouldn’t notice, because Crichton applies quick pace and perfect comic timing in each of the scenes. Crichton (for whom A Fish Called Wanda would be the last film in career) was aided by Cleese, who was rumoured to co-direct the film. Cleese’s input is, however, more visible in very good script that represent perfect blend of gallows humour, slapstick and exploration of cultural differences between British (presented as reserved, polite and class-conscious) and Americans (presented as direct, brash and aggressive). The result is indeed a very funny film that could make you laugh even after many decades, although few jokes (like those referencing apartheid-era South Africa) might not work among today’s audience.

Important ingredient of this this film’s success is diverse and talented cast, especially the quartet playing the main roles. Cleese is wonderful as a straight man, playing the character the audience would most likely identify with, despite some of his actions not being exactly ethical. Former scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis continues with her triumphant transformation into top comedienne, although she, apart from acting talents, emphasises her breasts (unlike some of her earlier roles, she doesn’t appear nude, leaving that honour to Cleese in one of the more memorable scenes). Pallin is also good in the role of gangster who loves and cares about animals, although sees nothing wrong in taking out old lady (played by Patricia Hayes) who had recognised his boss as witness. Pallin’s performance as a stutterer was partially inspired by his own father’s speech impediment, although near the end of film it looks a little bit annoying. The most impressive acting performance belongs to Kevin Kline who invested a lot of effort to portray character who is dangerous psychopathic villain and ignorant buffoon in the same time. Kline’s comic talent displayed here is such that he won Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Even without that feat, A Fish Called Wanda deserved its place the history of cinema comedy and can be recommended to today’s audience, at least those who are willing to take certain risks.

RATING: 8/10 (+++)

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