A Fish Called Wanda

 A Fish Called Wanda

In addition to starring, Monty Python’s John Cleese co-wrote and co-directed A Fish Called Wanda, resulting in his best work since Fawlty Towers. Indeed, Cleese’s character Archie Leach (clever) gets into some situations that bring ol’ Basil Fawlty to mind.  

The plot concerns multiple double-crossings from those involved in a jewel heist, eventually involving an upstanding barrister and, as the title indicates, at least one aquatic animal.

Wanda (the fish) is the pet of Ken (Monty Python’s Michael Palin), the stuttering right hand man of

Georges Thomason (Tom Georgeson – nice) who plans a heist with his American gal Wanda Gershwitz (Jamie Lee Curtis) and her ‘brother,’ the clueless weapons man Otto (Kevin Kline, never better).

Oscar doesn’t usually smile on comedy, but the Academy awarded Kevin Kline Best Supporting Actor for his outstanding and hilarious work.

Jamie Lee Curtis’ Wanda may be a double crossing sexpot, but she’s the likeable sort, and Palin is endearing as Ken even when he’s trying to bump off an old lady that is a key witness.

One of the funniest films of the 1980’s, A Fish Called Wanda never fails to make me laugh with its smart script and great performances from everyone involved. 

The same creative team and principle cast reunited for 1997’s Fierce Creatures, which, unlike Wanda, was a Box Office failure. I have yet to see it, but perhaps that will be remedied during this project of reviewing a film every day.

Tomorrow: A Scanner Darkly