The Fisher King Movie Review 1991

In derelict-infested Manhattan a down-and-out radio deejay meets a crazed vagabond (Williams) obsessed with medieval history and in search of the Holy Grail. At first the whimsical mix of Arthurian myth and modern urban hell seems amazingly wrongheaded. In retrospect it still does. But while this picture runs it weaves a spell that pulls you in, especially in its quiet moments. Your reaction to the silly ending depends entirely on how well you're bamboozled by a script that equates madness with enlightment and the homeless with holy fools. Filmed on the streets of New York, with many street people playing themselves.

Distribution

Critics' Choice Video & DVD, PO Box 749, Itasca, IL 60143, Toll-free: 800-993-6357, Email: vcatalog@ccvideo.com, URL: http://www.ccvideo.com

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 138 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Comedy Drama, Sanity Check, Radio, Yuppie Nightmares, Monty Python, At the Video Store, Homeless, New York, New York, Lovable Loonies

Screenplay

Richard LaGravenese

Cast

Robin Williams, Jeff Bridges, Amanda Plummer, Mercedes Ruehl, Michael Jeter, Harry Shearer, John de Lancie, Kathy Najimy, David Hyde Pierce

Cinematography

Roger Pratt

Director

Terry Gilliam

Music

George Fenton

Other

Lesley Walker

Producer

Tri-Star Pictures

Awards

Oscars 1991: Support. Actress (Ruehl); Golden Globes 1992: Actor--Mus./Comedy (Williams), Support. Actress (Ruehl); L.A. Film Critics 1991: Actress (Ruehl).