Robin Williams, Jeff Bridges, Amanda Plummer and Mercedes Ruehl star in Terry Gilliam's must-see comic masterpiece. Williams is Parry, a homeless history professor who lives in a fantasy world full of castles, Red Knights and damsels in distress. Bridges co-stars as Jack, New York's no.1 shock DJ, whose off-hand arrogance triggers a tragedy which ruins his career. Penniless and without prospects, Jack finds himself plucked from disaster by the most improbable of saviours...Parry. And so the amazing story of The Fisher King unfolds - a modern quest for redemption and the Holy Grail, filled with humour, heartbreak and ravishing romance.
Directed by
Terry Gilliam
Written by
Richard LaGravenese
Starring
Jeff Bridges (Jack Lucas); Robin Williams (Parry); Mercedes Ruehl (Anne Napolitano); Amanda Plummer (Lydia Sinclair); David Hyde Pierce (Lou Rosen (as David Pierce)); Adam Bryant (Radio engineer); Paul J. Lombardi (Radio engineer (as Paul Lombardi)); Ted Ross (Limo bum); Lara Harris (Sondra). Please contact SFC to add other cast members and characters.
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A fantasy tale beyond which lies some true realities
Mark Banks (United Kingdom)
Opinion: Recommended
I'll be honest in saying that I watched The Fisher King for the first time quite some years ago, and on first viewing I wasn't a fan. It was only after coming back into the faith and reading that John Pridmore (ex-gangster come Catholic convert) recommended it in his book that I thought I should give it another chance. And I'm very glad I did because it's now in my Top-100 films. Though wrapped up in a facade of fantasy there are some deep messages hidden below the surface here - particularly with reference to the potential dangers of the media, and the dangers of just letting anyone express themselves as they see fit. Also present is the real spiritual battle that can so easily take hold once somebody experiences the loss of a loved one - especially in such unexpected and inexplicable circumstances. I also like it that Jack is initially willing to do anything for Parry apart from the one thing Parry is asking of him. Parry isn't asking for his money or his common sense rational solutions; he asking for something completely irrational, yet something deeply personal, and only then does Jack give in. Speaking for myself I can say it was much the same way that God brought me back to the faith: I was willing to do anything apart from the simple personal things He was asking me to do - as irrational as they sounded to me at the time. Yet having finally given in, I now see the sense in what was being asked of me and what God continues to ask of me. Having the strength and courage to say yes is the hardest part.
