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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.
Fish Called Wanda, A
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 17 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 14 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Comedy
Written by:
John Cleese
Charles Crichton
Directed by: Charles Crichton
Release Date:
Theatrical: July 29, 1988
DVD: March 23, 1999
Running Time: 108 minutes, Color
Origin: USA
Summary
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.
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database
What The Critics Said
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...
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]
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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Mr. Showbiz Carmel Dagan
Director Charles Crichton's hilarious romp.
Los Angeles Times Sheila Benson
A convulsively funny affair.[15 July 1988, Calendar, p. 6-1]
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.
Read Full Review >Washington Post Rita Kempley
It's a deliciously dishy comedy, but like sushi an acquired taste.
Read Full Review >Variety Staff (Not credited)
Curtis steals the show with her keen sense of comic timing and sneaky little grins and asides.
Read Full Review >Washington Post Desson Thomson
It'll keep you amused enough to sit still and even remember it fondly.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 8.0 (out of 10) based on 14 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.
