Some films are so mediocre that even the viewers without refined taste can sense it. Yet some of those films cover their mediocrity with enough charm to defeat the professionalism of the experienced reviewers. The effects of that charm to the average viewer can only be imagined. Shooting Fish, 1997 British comedy directed by Stefan Schwartz, is one of those films.
Two protagonists of the film are Dylan (played by Dan Futterman), a charming American, and Jez (played by Stuart Townsend), shy and nerdy Briton. Two of them share a dream of owning expensive British country estate and, in order to make that dream true, share a career of confidence artists. Their latest operation requires help that comes in the form of unsuspecting but charming secretary Georgie (played by Kate Beckinsale). Two men quickly fall in love with her and their romantic rivalry is only the beginning of the troubles. In the end it turns out that Georgie too has some secret agenda.
Schwartz and his co-writer Richard Holmes may have many talents, but subtlety isn't among them. Plot is stuffed with all sentimental cliches possible - two lovable rogues, even more lovable woman who becomes their love interest - and laced with some unsubtle but lame attempts of socio-political satire on British establishment. In the end, subplot involving children affected with Down Syndrome is introduced in corniest way possible. All that is accompanied with bad editing that often makes the plot incomprehensible. But Shooting Fish manages to overcome those flaws thanks to the brilliant acting by Futterman, Townsend and irresistibly charming Kate Beckinsale. Snatching entertainment from the jaws of boring mediocrity is an accomplishment that shouldn't be commended enough. And in case of Shooting Fish, that accomplishment is enough for this film to be recommended.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.films.reviews on October 5th 2004)
Blog in Croatian https://draxblog.com Blog in English https://draxreview.wordpress.com/ Leofinance blog https://leofinance.io/@drax.leo Cent profile https://beta.cent.co/@drax Minds profile https://www.minds.com/drax_rp_nc Uptrennd profile https://www.uptrennd.com/user/MTYzNA
Hiveonboard: https://hiveonboard.com?ref=drax Rising Star game: https://www.risingstargame.com?referrer=drax 1Inch: https://1inch.exchange/#/r/0x83823d8CCB74F828148258BB4457642124b1328e
BTC donations: 1EWxiMiP6iiG9rger3NuUSd6HByaxQWafG ETH donations: 0xB305F144323b99e6f8b1d66f5D7DE78B498C32A7
