Rent The Fisher King on Amazon Video (paid link)
Written by: Richard LaGravenese
Directed by: Terry Gilliam
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Robin Williams, David Hyde Pierce, Kathy Najimy, Harry Shearer
Rated: R
Watch the trailer
Plot
A former radio DJ, suicidally despondent because of a terrible mistake he made, finds redemption in helping a deranged homeless man who was an unwitting victim of that mistake.
Verdict
I like what this wants to do more than what it actually does. This is a movie about grief, and we see two people grieving over different aspects of the same situation. The story falters towards the end as the movie doesn't seem to know how to conclude. This opts for the characters to just magically and instantly resolve their issues without a moment where the delve into those issues.
It depends.
Review
Jack (Jeff Bridges) is an egotistical radio jockey that seems to have a popular show. I was surprised at how nice of an apartment he had, but that also might just be setting us for the disparity we'll soon see. He's on top of the world, but he's about to fall. Jack is a shock jock and because of what he told a caller, a tragedy occurred.
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| Robin Williams, Jeff Bridges play Parry, Jack |
Years later, Jack's bitter about life. He had it and then lost it all. He works in a video store and his apartment is in a low rent neighborhood. He looks so rough he's mistaken for homeless. One night as Jack is wandering the streets he's saved by Parry (Robin Williams).
Parry is homeless, on a quest for the Holy Grail. He's delusional, but what Jack discovers is that he's partially responsible for Parry's situation.
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| Robin Williams plays Parry |
Parry has dealt with his grief through delusion. Robin Williams usually plays a boisterous, unconventional, and at times ridiculous character. As a comedian in this role, he's misleading. He's hiding grief that's dark and debilitating. Jack feels obligated to help Parry, out of guilt. It's cathartic to Jack as he can put his shame into action and work through it. Helping Parry relieves Jack of that guilt, and he starts trying to piece his life together.
It's at this point that the movie's plot starts to falter. It seems like the movie doesn't know how to wrap up the story. It's a happy ending, which I don't mind, but I don't like how we got there. It was forced.
The subplot of the Holy Grail is a metaphor. Jack and Parry are both searching for something unobtainable, the past. Parry mourns the past he lost, Jack mourns the future he could have had. At the end, they're both ready to move on. That's good, but the way the movie sets it up is a bit over the top, especially with Parry. Throughout the movie, there's just too much silliness with Parry and his delusions.
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