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Robin Williams, Jeff Bridges, Mercedes Ruehl, Amanda Plummer, Michael Jeter ... see more see more... , Harry Shearer , Jayce Bartok , Lisa Blades , Mark Bowden , Stephen Bridgewater , Mark Bringelson , Adam Bryant , Carlos Carrasco , Christian Clemenson , Caroline Cromelin , Melinda Culea , Anita Dangler , John DeLancie , Al Fann , Patrick Fraley , Dan Futterman , Bradley Gregg , Lou Hancock , Lara Harris , John Heffernan , Chris Howell , Joe Jamrog , Kathleen Bridget Kelly , Paul Lombardi , William Jay Marshall , Brian Michaels , Kathy Najimy , Warren Olney , John Ottavino , Johnny Paganelli , David Hyde Pierce , William Preston Robertson , John Benjamin Red , James Remini , Diane Robin , Frazer Smith , Mel Bourne , Richard LaGravenese , Ted Ross , Tom Waits , Howard Feuer

Terry Gilliam directed this adaptation of Richard LaGravenese's mystical (and mythical) tale of redemption in the hard-time town of New York City. Jeff Bridges is shock radio DJ Jack Lucas, whose low ... read more read more...opinion of humanity lends itself well to his radio talk show, where the enmity rubs off on his listeners. One fan in particular takes Jack's rants to heart and goes to a fancy restaurant with a gun, murdering innocent diners. Jack is so distraught at what his on-air suggestion wrought that he sinks into a three-year depression, drinking himself to sleep and mooching off of his girlfriend Anne Napolitano (Mercedes Ruehl, in an Oscar-winning performance), an attractive owner of a video store. Hitting bottom, Jack slumps to the river, prepared to commit suicide. To his rescue comes a crazed but witty homeless man named Parry (Robin Williams), who tells Jack he's destined for great things -- all his has to do is find the Holy Grail (conveniently located in mid-town Manhattan) and save Parry's soul. He also wants Jack to help him out with the woman of his dreams, Lydia Sinclair (Amanda Plummer), a shy type who works at a publishing company. Parry was once a university professor became unglued by a tragic event in his past; Jack soon realizes that to save himself, he first must save Parry. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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83% liked it

42,504 ratings

Critics

84% liked it

51 critics

R, 2 hr. 18 min.

Directed by: Terry Gilliam

Release Date: September 20, 1991

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DVD Release Date: February 16, 1999

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Stats: 1,934 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,934)

  • fb100002359227440
    March 17, 2012
    fb100002359227440
    A surrealist drama/comedy with a great duo by Williams and Bridges, just like Gilliam's direction and a moving script by LaGravenese in the time when he made good films. Fresh.
  • garyX
    January 4, 2011
    garyX
    An ex shock jock DJ whose flippant tirade caused a mentally unstable listener to go postal finds a chance at redemption when he encounters a delusional tramp who was one of the victims. Probably as a result of his problems in getting the bizarre and brilliant Brazil released by t... read morehe conservative studio system, Terry Gilliam produced his most mainstream film to date; but it's only "mainstream" by his eccentric standards. The Fisher King could be categorized as a romantic comedy, but probably the darkest, most offbeat one you're ever likely to see! Jeff Bridges produces yet another brilliant performance as the suicidally disturbed DJ, and although Williams is occasionally his usual overbearing self, they do share some magical on screen moments together. I must also mention Mercedes Ruehl who is adorable in a totally naturalistic way and all the funniest moments involve her in some way or another, and there are a lot of laughs in the middle of the film considering the darkness of the subject matter. It does on occasion feel a little incoherent, lurching between grim psychology and lighthearted comedy as it does and it is a little overlong. But it is littered with fantastic moments (look out for an uncredited Tom Waites) and blends social commentary, humour and character study in a very interesting way. Fans of Eternal Sunshine and Amelie should definitely give it a try.
  • ironclad1609
    January 4, 2010
    ironclad1609
    Probably Terry Gilliam's least weird film, this movie is a story of guilt, redemption and friendship, carried by great acting performances from Bridges and Williams and a lot of quirky ideas. When everyone at the train station starts dancing at the sight of William's crush it's s... read moreimply touching, other parts make you grin or even cry. Either way, it's hard not to care about these characters and the ups and downs they have to go through as a former radio DJ tries to fix the life of a bum whose wife got shot by one of his listeners. The mix of drama and humor works perfectly up until the satisfying ending. Probably Gilliam's sweetest film, too.
  • SirPant
    August 27, 2009
    SirPant
    This is such a touching film, great performances, esp from Ruehl, Bridges and Williams. The dancing scene filmed in the train station is a favourite of mine. Brilliant.
  • DrZeek
    April 14, 2008
    DrZeek
    Jack Lucas: I don't mean to be flippant or to enrage you or anything, but you're a psychotic man.
    Parry: I know.
    Jack Lucas: A very nice psychotic man.
    Parry: Thank you.

    Here's a decent enough comedy drama that has a number of effective scenes, some good performances, and oozes ... read morewith Gilliam's style, even while being set in a more modern world for a change, but as a whole there are some problems and oddities that stop it working completely.

    Jeff Bridges plays a shock jock radio DJ Jack Lucas, on the verge of getting larger fame, until he makes a mistake of telling a listener something that sets him off, resulting in that listener going on a shooting rampage and then killing himself.

    Horrified by what he has done, Jack then isolates himself from everyone, living with his girlfriend Anne, Mercedes Ruehl, who owns a video store.

    On a drunken/suicidal bender, in a desperate attempt, Jack tries to kill himself, before he is attacked, but then saved by a strange homeless man.

    This man is Perry, played by Robin Williams, who alerts Jack of his quest to find the Holy Grail and the other oddities of his life. Perry is also on a daily quest to check out the shy girl, Amanda Plummer, he notices every day on her lunch break. Perry also suffers from massive delusions portraying some past demons he has.

    It turns out that Perry used to be a normal character until his wife was murdered by the same man Jack unwittingly set off all that time ago. Now in attempt to redeem Perry and himself, Jack spends time with Perry trying to help him get the girl he likes and maybe become more normal.

    Director Terry Gilliam's visual style is certainly apparent with his use of jarring camera angles, the constant shift in tone and mixing of various elements, not to mention the fish eye lens and a Tom Waits cameo. This all means its a good looking film and has a unique enough sense about itself.

    The performances are pretty top notch. Robin Williams is essentially in a Robin Williams role, which combines his manic comic sense with the serious touches that have made his work as an actor memorable.

    Jeff Bridges is sort of on and off, but that is mainly due to how the story uses his character. At points he is an understandably tragic character who let ego get ahead of him, and his relation to Perry works in many ways. Then there are times when he is just pushed too far out of character, whether it involves his interaction in Perry's life or how he treats others.

    Amanda Plummer on the other hand, completely works and once she enters Perry's world, especially in one particular scene, you really want to see these two together.

    It is Mercedes Ruehl who does the best however. Its nice to know she won and Oscar for her role as Jack's girlfriend. Her character is great as a person with good comic timing, a strong character quality, a believable person in terms of her relationship with Jack, and even very sensual in her own way.

    There is also supporting work from Michael Jeter as a Drag Queen and a small role from David Hyde Pierce.

    I enjoyed the story well enough, but its easy enough to see where its going, just too bad it tries to stretch itself out so much, opposed to editing around the number of very good scenes.

    This is a good movie, working with the quirky characters, but just misses some of its beats.

    Anne Napolitano: Didn't you say that what you liked about our relationship is that we didn't have to think? We could just be there for each other.
    Jack Lucas: Suicidal paranoiacs will say anything to get laid.
  • RCCLBC
    March 17, 2008
    RCCLBC
    My Least favorite Gilliam Film, Mainly Because Of Robin Williams.
  • DragonEyeMorrison
    January 29, 2008
    DragonEyeMorrison
    Could have been better with less corny romantic scenes.
  • 76Majikat
    September 27, 2007
    76Majikat
    An unlikely friendship ocurs when events throw Jeff Bridges and Robin Williams togehter in a kind of quest. Great performances from both. This is definitely an unusual storyline and a very enjoyable watch.

    VERDICT: Definitely worth a watch
  • Redlats
    September 3, 2007
    Redlats
    A very moving movie. Great acting by Jeff Bridges and Robin Williams.
  • deano
    August 20, 2007
    deano
    Another extraordinary film Terry Gilliam. Jeff Bridges is the depressed ex-radio chat-jock whose life is turned upside-down by Robin Williams, a manic vagrant with an obsession for bowel movements and the Holy Grail. Despite being hopelessly self-indulgent in places, it's so weir... read mored, inventive and imaginative that you're rarely bored and end up feeling all's right with the world after all.

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Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum
January 29, 2010
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Visually impressive, frequently pretentious, and extremely fluid as narrative (the 137 minutes sail by effortlessly), this mythic comedy-drama presents Gilliam as half seer, half snake-oil salesman an... Full Review

Variety Staff
March 26, 2009
Variety Staff, Variety

The Fisher King has two actors at the top of their form, and a compelling, well-directed and well-produced story. Full Review

David Ansen
April 7, 2008
David Ansen, Newsweek

Working within the constraints of a big studio film has brought out Gilliam's best: he's become a true storyteller and a wonderful director of actors. This time he delights not only the eye but the soul. Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

For every wild ride through Manhattan by an imaginary Red Knight trailing billows of flame, there is a small, comic encounter in a more down-to-earth mode. Full Review

Peter Travers
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

So what if it's not perfect? It's magic.

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

A modern epic that fuses myth with hard-edged reality, it's a one-of-a-kind, thoroughly engaging experience. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The Fisher King is a disorganized, rambling and eccentric movie that contains some moments of truth, some moments of humor, and many moments of digression. Full Review

Wesley Lovell
August 15, 2011
Wesley Lovell, Oscar Guy

It's sometimes hard to follow the action, but you have a bit of fun trying to figure it all out. Full Review

January 29, 2010
TV Guide's Movie Guide

The Fisher King's problems begin with Richard LaGravenese's screenplay and are amplified by Gilliam's showy direction and an unbearably fey performance by Robin Williams. Full Review

January 29, 2010
Film4

As always, Williams turns romance into slush, but Gilliam reigns it in with his mad and magical design. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Jack Lucas: It's important to think, Anne. It's what separates us from lentils and people that read books like 'Love Song'.
    • Parry: There's nothing trashy about romance. In romance, there's passion, there's imagination, there's beauty; besides, you find some wonderful things in the trash.
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The Fisher King Trivia

  • Fantastical romance with Jeff Bridges as a former radio Shock-Jock who is saved from suicide by Robin williams, a down and out with a Holy Grail obsession. Name the movie?  Answer »
  • What movie had the tag line : A good old fashion story of guilt,poverty, love, madness and free video club membership ?  Answer »
  • The charactor Robin Williams plays in the movie The Fisher King, does what in Central Park?   Answer »
  • Which member of the comedic Monty Python troupe directed films such as Brazil, The Fisher King, and The Brothers Grimm  Answer »
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