Say “'ello” to one of the most uproarious and intelligent comedies of all time! Nominated for three Oscars (including Best Supporting Actor, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay) and the Golden Globe for Best Comedy/Musical in ’89, A Fish Called Wanda is a gut-busting amalgam of British humor with an American twist. It’s a rare case in which bi-cultural stars align, serve up their personal bests, and supply enough laughter to split open sides.

Out of the bunch, one star shoots past the others. Kevin Kline juts out of the screen and makes it blatantly obvious why he took home the statue for Best Supporting Actor. His character is kinetic, random, superfluous, and not stupid! Surely, the next time you observe fish swimming peacefully in a tank, you’ll recall A Fish Called Wanda and – more specifically – Kline’s slurping and swallowing. What’s more, you may even be inspired to frenetically quote Nietzsche while you replay this scene in your mind!

While the fish are actually made of Jello, A Fish Called Wanda is made of a comedy-centric script and flawless timing. Insert this DVD into your player in lieu of a Billy Blanks ab workout, because John Cleese knows toning abdominals better than almost anyone.

A Fish Called Wanda is a story of “murder, lust, greed, revenge, and seafood.” American diamond thieves and secret lovers, Wanda (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Otto (Kevin Kline), conspire – with a professional named George (Tom Georgeson) and a stuttering animal lover named Ken (Michael Palin) – to rob a bank that possesses an extremely valuable collection of diamonds. Considering both George and Ken buy into a plot that Wanda and Otto are brother and sister, the real-life lovers plan on absconding with the jewels and turning George in for the robbery.

Article Author: Brandon Valentine

Brandon Valentine is a film critic from Hershey, PA. Aside from possessing the last name “Valentine” and living in “the Sweetest Place on Earth,” Brandon was also born on Valentine’s Day. That’s right, a Valentine born on Valentine’s Day. …

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