A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

A Fish Called Wanda
Directed by Charles Chrichton and John Cleese
Written by Charles Chrichton and John Cleese
1988/UK
IMDb link
Repeat viewing/Amazon Instant
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die

[box] Otto West: Apes don’t read philosophy.

Wanda: Yes they do, Otto. They just don’t understand it. Now let me correct you on a couple of things, OK? Aristotle was not Belgian. The central message of Buddhism is not “Every man for himself.” And the London Underground is not a political movement. Those are all mistakes, Otto. I looked them up.[/box]

I have a special fondness for this wickedly hilarious movie since I saw it on original release when I worked in London 1988-90.  It made excellent comfort viewing for Lockdown.

As the movie begins, a gang of criminals is planning a jewel heist.  These are mastermind George Thomason; his girlfriend the buxom, seductive, and distracting Wanda (Jamie Leigh Curtis); her assassin “brother” Otto (Kevin Kline) and the stuttering, animal-loving driver Ken (Michael Palen).  The actual robbery goes off pretty well until George is identified by a little-old-lady witness and arrested.  George is the only person who knows the location of the loot.  George’s defense attorney is Archie Leach (John Cleese).

Ken is assigned to kill the eye witness.  Unfortunately, she is only to be found while walking several very unlucky dogs.  Wanda sets about seducing the very married Archie believing that George must have given him the location.  Every attempt is thwarted by the insanely jealous Otto, Wanda’s outrageously stupid and impulsive lover.  Who, if anyone, will end up with the loot?

I had forgotten how much I love this movie.  The fantastic jokes and situations do not deserve to be spoiled.  I absolutely cannot imaging a more perfect cast.  Kline’s performance is one for the ages and certainly merited his Best Supporting Actor Oscar. Most highly recommended if you are in the mood for a good laugh.

The film was also nominated in the categories of Best Director and Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen.

The trailer made me laugh out loud all over again even though I just saw it yesterday