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Rating: 4 out of 5
What is the Fisher King? I had to look it up because I thought it was something that dealt with fish. Yes, I know, strange to think. After looking it up on the good ole Wikipedia, I learned that it is an Arthurian legend. One of those stories deals with King Arthur. The Fisher King has quite a few other names from the likes of the Wounded King or Maimed King. In the legend, the Fisher King is the last in a long bloodline charged with keeping the Holy Grail. Even though stories vary, dude always has a wounded leg that makes him unable to stand. Apparently, homeboy spends all his time in a small boat, fishing near his castle, while waiting for some noble to come by and heal his leg.
I recently watched the Fisher King, a wild, strange, entertaining film starring Robin Williams and Jeff Bridges. I have many things to say about this film and will get to it, but let’s start with what it is about. The film revolves around Jack Lucas (Bridges). He was an arrogant, famous, and egotistical NYC call-in shock jock radio talk show host. During one of his shows, a caller named Edwin Malnick (Clemenson) talks about being rejected by a woman. Jack is dismissive of Edwin and lets him know that he will never be successful with women. Jack ends his show, returns to his sweet-ass penthouse, and argues with his girlfriend while admiring himself. Dude is a full-on narcissistic asshole. While basking in his own glory, Jack turns on the news and finds out that Edwin had killed many people in a Manhattan restaurant with a shotgun before killing himself. Jack has a complete and utter meltdown. Three years later, Jack is broke and constantly on edge. His only emotional and financial support is from his girlfriend, Anne (Ruehl), who owns a video rental store. One evening, Jack decides to get WASTED and hits rock bottom. He goes to a park, where he is attacked and dosed in gasoline until a crazy homeless man calling himself Parry (Williams) saves him. Parry has severe mental health issues where he is on the mission to retrieve the Holy Grail that is in someone’s office. Jack gets caught up in Parry’s world as he shows him his knights, believing this is a way to retrieve salvation and forgiveness. Along the way, Jack decides to help Parry connect with his crush, Lydia Sinclair (Plummer), a shy woman. On this adventure with Parry, Jack may be able to reclaim the old life he once lost and realize that he has grown in many new ways.
The story is quite insane and funny at the same time. All one would probably think of is watching Howard Stern in his hay day, doing his usual thing, and during a guest call, talks down to them. The guest is like fuck it and kills several people. Stern goes off the deep end, quits doing radio, goes on a drinking spree, and disappears from the world where he meets a homeless dude and goes on an adventure. You see how crazy that story is, and you know what?? It freakin works. I thought it was hilarious and entertaining.
What makes this film work is that you have two people from entirely different worlds, and they manage to form a friendship but also find some redemption at the end. It’s like watching a villain become a hero but also go back to being a villain only to realize he loves being a hero. Jack is an asshole and drunk until he meets Parry. From his one task of wanting to help Parry find love, he seems to find something special. He does slip up and treats the people he helps like trash when he gets his “old” life back. A prime example is when the dude who sang to Lydia asks for help, and he walks by like he was trash. Karma is crazy. When Parry gets attacked, he rushes to his side and then goes on a mission to bring him back to and cement his friendship.
On the other side of the coin, you have Parry’s story. His story is crazy when it unfolds. You think he is someone with mental health issues who is homeless. Who talks about the Holy Grail on the streets? Probably in New York City, a bunch of people do. He runs around as the Red Knight chases him. You think he is insane. Yet, dude really likes Lydia and even goes on a date. During his nervous breakdown, we see that he wasn’t crazy. The past has been haunting him like crazy. The murder scene is insane to watch. I wasn’t expecting it. As Ron Burgundy said, “That escalated quickly.”
The ending was a lovely touch with each character and their crazy lives. Watching Jack do a sing-along with Parry was cute. Watching Jack make up with his girl was cute. Yet, the funniest part was seeing Jack and Parry lay naked in Central Park. One might think it’s crazy, but it’s New York City. Anything and everything have probably happened in that city.
As far as the cast goes, each person did their job beautifully. Robin Williams as Parry was entertaining. He was his wild and crazy self during this film. Yet, he added so much depth and emotions to his character when you see why he acts the way he does. Jeff Bridges as Jack Lucas was decent and had a nice character arc. He was all over the place in the beginning, but once he cleaned up, he was a joy to watch but still an asshole sometimes. Mercedes Ruehl as Anne Napolitano was a joy to watch. She was loving but also told it how it was. She was strong as a supporting actress even though I felt like she was the lead actress. Amanda Plummer as Lydia Sinclair was cute, shy, but also clumsy. Now Michael Jeter as Homeless Cabaret Singer was the best part. You knew it was a crazy film when he dressed up and sang to Lydia in front of everyone. Almost thought I was high there for a second.
Overall, the Fisher King is one of those crazy films that will surprise you. It has a nice story of redemption and forgiveness. The whole story of Parry trying to find the Holy Grail sets off a chain of events that will make you laugh and sometimes tense up. Williams and Bridges are great in their respective roles, along with Ruehl, who won the Academy Award. Give this film a chance and learn about the mighty Fisher King.
