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A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

Rate: 9
Viewed: 8/04, 8/13, 8/25

Wanda
8/13: In A Fish Called Wanda, Kevin Kline is beyond brilliant as "Don't Call Me Stupid" Otto while Jamie Lee Curtis is so perfect that everybody wants her.

Michael Palin is lovable as the stuttering animal activist who ends up murdering three Yorkshire terriers. John Cleese is wonderful as Archie the husband with a tedious family life. It's one of the wackiest, funniest pictures made, ranking right up there with M*A*S*H, This Is Spinal Tap, and Zorro, The Gay Blade.

There are hilarious scenes throughout, and it's Kevin Kline who makes many of them work, hence the Oscar win. One more time from Otto: "It's K-K-K-Ken! C-c-c-coming to k-k-k-kill me! How you gonna c-c-c-catch me, K-K-K-Ken?" And the joke is on him.

All in all, if you want to laugh a lot, you must go with A Fish Called Wanda.

8/25: I have seen A Fish Called Wanda plenty of times, but sadly, the comedy has worn thin by now.

It may be that the film hasn't aged well, but the story still works. I love the overall acting. Kevin Kline is unbeatable as "Don't Call Me Stupid" Otto. The funniest is when his character is stuck in the cement and out of options.

I've thought about Jamie Lee Curtis being labeled as a femme fatale and conclude that it doesn't fit. She isn't evil and only wants the money while putting up with Otto's idiocy. Either way, the actress was certainly robbed of an Oscar win.

All in all, A Fish Called Wanda is still a great movie, thanks to the brilliant cast of four: Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, Michael Palin, and John Cleese.