esrosedotblog

OVER THE TOP

We just finished watching The Fisher King (1991). It is exhausting to watch.

There are some really great parts. And there are so many of them. Unfortunately, the sum is less than the parts.

Terry Gilliam does not spare the horses. In fact, one of the best things is a huge fire breathing 'puppet' horseman; the kind of thing that makes Gilliam films so distinctive. All the sets are incredible. There is a fantasy scene shot in Grand Central Station that is just wonderful. Dancing commuters. And more and more.

There is Jeff Bridges who is beautiful. We have Mercedes Ruehl in a knockout performance. And we have Robin Williams who cannot restrain himself or be restrained. There is Michael Jeter who does some of the best comic drag scenes you will ever see.

In a way, we do not want the film to end just as we hope for another piece of candy or more peanuts. It has to keep on going to survive.

The ending is tough to deal with. I think that Gilliam wanted it to go on too. There is so much party party going on that it is sad to end it and I didn't buy the final conversion of the Bridges character much at all.

On the other hand, what's wrong with watching a lot of actors and a director chewing all the scenery and having the time of their lives doing it? Nothing.

It just doesn't rate as a too very Best NYTimes 1176 Film. I will give it a 4 out of Netflix5.