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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.

Fish Called Wanda, A
MGM


8.0

based on 17 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 11 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie

Internet Movie Database

MPAA RATING: R

Starring John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, and Michael Palin

In this zany comedy, four disparate characters (Cleese, Curtis, Kline, Palin) attempt a daring jewel heist.

GENRE(S):	Comedy
WRITTEN BY:	John Cleese Charles Crichton
DIRECTED BY:	Charles Crichton
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: March 23, 1999 Video: October 8, 1996 Theatrical: July 29, 1988
RUNNING TIME:	108 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	USA

Kevin Kline won an Oscar in 1989 for his supporting performance. The film also picked up Oscar nominations for Original Screenplay and Directing.

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

The funniest movie I have seen in a long time.

100

Time Richard Schickel

Think of A Fish Called Wanda as the next best thing to a Looney Tunes-Merrie Melodies summerfest…Wanda defies gravity, in both senses of the word, and redefines a great comic tradition. [July 18, 1988]

100

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Jay Scott

May be less than the sum of its parts, but its parts are more impressive than most other wholes around.

100

ReelViews James Berardinelli

One of the best-constructed, funniest, and most clever comedies to grace motion picture screens in recent years. It's outrageous, offensive, and even a little sick -- and all the more enjoyable because of it.

100

Mr. Showbiz Carmel Dagan

Director Charles Crichton's hilarious romp.

100

Los Angeles Times Sheila Benson

A convulsively funny affair.[15 July 1988, Calendar, p. 6-1]

100

San Francisco Chronicle Peter Stack

I laughed so hard, my eyes watered. I laughed so loud, I lost track of whether anyone else was laughing. I laughed so much, I ached afterwards. [29 July 1988, Daily Notebook, p.E1]

Chicago Reader Jonathan Rosenbaum

Crichton keeps the laughs coming with infectious energy.

Washington Post Rita Kempley

It's a deliciously dishy comedy, but like sushi an acquired taste.

Variety Staff (Not credited)

Curtis steals the show with her keen sense of comic timing and sneaky little grins and asides.

Washington Post Desson Thomson

It'll keep you amused enough to sit still and even remember it fondly.

Rolling Stone Hal Erickson

If it is indeed possible for a film to be both stylish and tasteless, then A Fish Called Wanda certainly fills the bill.

Chicago Tribune Dave Kehr

Contains some gaspingly funny moments. [29 July 1988, Friday, p.A]

USA Today Mike Clark

This crumbled-caper comedy is the funniest movie ever from a film maker late in his eighth decade. [22 July 1988, Life, p.4D]

TV Guide Staff(not credited)

With British-American culture clash as its dominant theme, A Fish Called Wanda bristles with wit, enlivened by delightfully over-the-top ensemble acting.

Christian Science Monitor David Sterritt

There are a few hilarious moments, and a few more that are foolish and even disgusting. [15 July 1988, Art and Leisure, p.21]

The New York Times Vincent Canby

The dialogue reports funny things instead of showing them. The movie remains in a limbo halfway between the informed anarchy of Monty Python comedy stripped of all social and political satire, and the comparatively genteel comedy of "The Lavender Hill Mob." [15 July 1988, p.C8]

The average user rating for this movie is 8.0 (out of 10) based on 11 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Tucker C. gave it a10:
Totally awesome and funny movie.

Andrew M. gave it a 9:
Me, my friends and my family saw this movie several times when it came out and it was universally agreed to be one of the best modern comedies yet made. It artfully merges all different aspects of comedy into a hilarious blend of absurdity, played out by gifted, perfectly-cast actors. A riot from go to whoa, a movie that will become timeless.

Pat C. gave it a 10:
The supreme achievement to evolve from the Monty Python scene. Try to list the 10 funniest comedies you've ever seen without including this one. This is Comedy Ghastly without peer. If three precious little dogs are put down, each funnier than the last, we are in the presence of masters. The only problem is that such humor is an acquired taste. Here's your chance to pig out. Can you say Cathcart?

Am H. gave it a 10:
I love this movie, i watch it over and over again, though i can't really say why. The blossoming relationship between the characters of Wanda and Archie is wonderful to watch. For some reason, John Cleese was kind of attractive in this movie, almost more than Kevin Kline. As for Jamie, they did a good job on that plastic surgery girl!

raVen gave it a 0:
Kevin Kline's character makes me feel like gagging on a... ...Well, on anything, really. Jamie Lee Curtis, surprisingly, was the only person I could bear to watch. The comedy is mean, the characters are mean, (save Michael Palin's, who is wasted and abused) and the film makes you question the status of humanity. Nothing of value comes from this movie. Nothing. That is, with the possible exception of the greater respect one has for how rare and fleeting Cleese's Monty Python genius was. the funnier Palin, happily, has moved on to better things. The movie is all the more loathsome for having wasted their talents. Awful piece of trash.

Yoon Min C. gave it a 7:
Good smart comedy but too far on the absurd and obnoxious side. Goes over-the-top bit too often.

Fish Called Wanda, A MGM

Fish Called Wanda, A
MGM