A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

Overview

A Fish Called Wanda is a rare gem of a film that combines the finesse of British wit with the rambunctious energy of American farce. Directed by Charles Crichton (of The Lavender Hill Mob fame) and co-written with star John Cleese, this 1988 heist comedy stands as a unique transatlantic collaboration. It boasts sharp writing, layered performances, and an energetic narrative that holds up decades after its release.

Plot Summary

The plot revolves around a gang of thieves who pull off a successful diamond heist in London. However, things unravel rapidly as greed and double-crossing dominate their dynamic. Wanda (Jamie Lee Curtis) is an American con artist who seduces her way through the crew, planning to steal the loot for herself. Her partner Otto (Kevin Kline), a dim-witted, Nietzsche-quoting thug who fancies himself an intellectual, is also in on the scheme.

When the gang’s leader George is arrested and the diamonds go missing, Wanda targets his barrister, Archie Leach (John Cleese), hoping to extract information. Complications and chaos ensue, exacerbated by George's animal-loving, stuttering accomplice Ken (Michael Palin) who’s tasked with eliminating a key witness: an old woman and her yapping dogs.

Performance Highlights

John Cleese (Archie Leach): Cleese plays against his usual blustering personas here, offering a surprisingly nuanced performance as the stiff, repressed lawyer who slowly uncorks under Wanda's charms. His comedic timing, especially in physical comedy and verbal awkwardness, is impeccable.

Jamie Lee Curtis (Wanda): Curtis blends sex appeal with razor-sharp intelligence. Her performance is layered: Wanda is a femme fatale, but not just a trope. She manipulates those around her with finesse, and Curtis makes her immensely likable, even as she schemes and lies.

Kevin Kline (Otto): Kline steals the film. His portrayal of the idiotic yet dangerous Otto won him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. His absurd self-seriousness, unpredictable violence, and linguistic mangling are the stuff of comedic legend. The “Don’t call me stupid!” bit is iconic for a reason.

Michael Palin (Ken): Palin gives a sympathetic and physically demanding performance as Ken, whose stutter is used as a source of both pathos and dark comedy. The running gag involving Ken’s attempts to murder the old lady—while accidentally killing her dogs instead—is as wickedly funny as it is heartbreaking.

Direction and Writing

Charles Crichton, an Ealing Studios veteran, had not directed a feature film in over two decades before Wanda. His old-school precision blends surprisingly well with the film’s more modern sensibilities. John Cleese’s script is tight, smart, and full of escalating tension and hilarious set pieces. The humour operates on multiple levels—from slapstick to satire, innuendo to linguistic absurdity.

The film also explores themes of class, national identity, and sexual politics with a knowing wink. The culture clash between the uptight British and brash Americans is a central engine of both comedy and character development.

Tone and Style

What sets A Fish Called Wanda apart from standard heist comedies is its sophisticated balance of farce and character. It's outrageous but never cartoonish, dark but never bleak. There’s a mischievous edge to the violence—dogs are killed, noses are broken, and fish are eaten alive—but it’s all staged with such cheeky irreverence that it rarely feels mean-spirited.

The film is stylish but not ostentatious. London is shot with a muted elegance, contrasting with the over-the-top antics of its characters. There's a clear theatrical influence in the structure and pacing, reflective of Cleese’s roots in British stage and television comedy.

Reception and Legacy

Upon release, A Fish Called Wanda was both a critical and commercial success. It grossed over $60 million in the US alone, becoming one of the highest-grossing British films of the time. Critics lauded it for its intelligence, inventiveness, and stellar performances. Roger Ebert called it "the funniest movie I have seen in a long time," and many placed it among the best comedies of the 1980s.

It received multiple Academy Award nominations, including Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, with Kevin Kline winning Best Supporting Actor. In the years since, it has frequently appeared on lists of the greatest comedies ever made and remains a touchstone in both British and American comedic cinema.

Final Thoughts

A Fish Called Wanda is a masterclass in comedy, driven by brilliant performances, sharp writing, and pitch-perfect direction. It's a film that rewards multiple viewings, as new jokes and subtleties emerge with each revisit. It succeeds as a heist film, a character study, and a satire of Anglo-American differences. Most importantly, it’s just downright hilarious.

Whether you’re a fan of Monty Python, screwball comedies, or sharp romantic farce, A Fish Called Wanda delivers.

Verdict

A comedy classic with brains, bite, and belly laughs.