A Fish Called Wanda Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Four people rob a jewelry store, then spend the rest of the movie trying to decide which of them gets to keep all the money, with a lot of dog-related incidents and live fish consumption along the way.

🍿 A Fish Called Wanda: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Heist

Georges Thomason, along with his seductive American girlfriend Wanda Gershwitz, animal-loving Ken Pile, and supposed brother Otto West, plan a daring diamond heist in London. Each member has their own motive. Wanda and Otto plot to double-cross Georges after the heist, keeping all the loot for themselves.

Double-Cross and Betrayal

Following the successful heist, Wanda and Otto betray Georges, informing the police and landing him in jail. However, they soon realize that Georges has hidden the diamonds, leaving them desperate to find their secret location. Wanda initiates a plan to seduce George’s barrister, Archie Leach, to extract information about the diamonds’ whereabouts.

Seduction and Chaos

Wanda’s seduction of Archie leads to a series of hilarious and chaotic situations, complicated by Otto’s jealous outbursts and Ken’s bumbling attempts to silence a key witness. As Wanda spends time with Archie, genuine feelings begin to develop between them, adding a new layer to her scheme. Ken tries, unsuccessfully, to dispatch the key witness, with increasingly disastrous results, especially for her dogs.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Archie Leach (John Cleese): A stuffy British barrister who finds himself entangled with a seductive American thief and her chaotic plans after defending George.
• Wanda Gershwitz (Jamie Lee Curtis): A cunning and seductive American con artist who uses her charm to manipulate those around her in pursuit of stolen diamonds.
• Otto West (Kevin Kline): A dim-witted, volatile, and jealous ex-CIA operative who is Wanda’s lover and partner in crime.
• Ken Pile (Michael Palin): A stuttering, animal-loving associate of George who becomes embroiled in the chaotic aftermath of the diamond heist.
• George Thomason (Tom Georgeson): A British gangster who organizes the diamond heist, only to be betrayed by his American accomplices.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Otto: “Don’t call me stupid!” – Otto’s recurring outburst whenever anyone questions his intelligence, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
• Wanda: “To seduce an Englishman, you only have to speak Italian.” – Wanda reveals her strategy for manipulating Archie, highlighting her understanding of his desires.
• Archie: “You Americans think you can just walk into our country and steal whatever you want.” – Archie expresses his frustration with American arrogance and their perceived disregard for British customs and sensibilities.
• Otto: “Apes don’t read philosophy.” – Otto defensively proclaims his intelligence despite his boorish behavior and obvious lack of understanding of Nietzsche.
• Ken: “(Stuttering) I… I… I…” – Ken’s constant stuttering is both a source of humor and a reflection of his anxiety and inner turmoil.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $7.5M
• Domestic Gross: $62.5M
• Worldwide Gross: $62.5M

💥 A Fish Called Wanda Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely love ‘A Fish Called Wanda’! It’s one of those movies I can watch over and over again and still laugh out loud. Kevin Kline’s performance is legendary, and the scenes with Michael Palin and those poor dogs are just unforgettable. The clash between the British and American humor is perfect, and the ending always leaves me smiling.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of British humor”
  • “Those who enjoy crime comedies”
  • “Viewers who appreciate witty dialogue and slapstick”
  • “Fans of John Cleese and Monty Python”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Animal death (dogs and fish)”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Sexual content”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “A Fish Called Wanda is a gleeful, intelligent farce that pokes fun at both British and American stereotypes. The performances are brilliant, particularly Kevin Kline’s Otto, a truly unforgettable comedic creation. It’s a laugh riot from beginning to end!
• The New York Times: “The film succeeds because of its sharp writing and excellent ensemble cast. John Cleese and Jamie Lee Curtis have great chemistry, while Michael Palin’s portrayal of Ken is both hilarious and heartbreaking. A truly memorable comedy.
• Variety: “Charles Crichton directs with a deft hand, balancing the film’s slapstick elements with its clever dialogue. Kevin Kline steals every scene he’s in, delivering a tour-de-force performance that earned him a well-deserved Oscar.

Audience Reactions

Kevin Kline’s wild and over-the-top portrayal of Otto is a comedic masterpiece.: The film’s clever writing and perfectly timed jokes are consistently praised by viewers.

Michael Palin’s portrayal of Ken, the stuttering animal lover, is both hilarious and endearing.: Many viewers find the film’s blend of British and American humor to be a refreshing and entertaining contrast.

Overall Consensus: ‘A Fish Called Wanda’ is widely regarded as a classic comedy, praised for its sharp writing, brilliant performances, and hilarious culture clash.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Supporting Actor)- 1989
2. BAFTA Award (Best Actor in a Supporting Role)- 1989

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “John Cleese originally intended for the film to be a sequel to ‘Fawlty Towers’, but later decided to create a new story.”
• “Kevin Kline won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Otto, which was a surprise to many as it was a comedic role.”
• “The character of Archie Leach is named after Cary Grant’s real name, a nod to the classic screwball comedies of the 1940s.”
• “Michael Palin’s portrayal of Ken Pile was inspired by his own father, who stuttered. Palin incorporated personal experiences to make the character authentic.”

🖥️ How to Watch A Fish Called Wanda?

A Fish Called Wanda is widely available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu, where it can be rented or purchased. Check your local listings for availability on cable or satellite on-demand services. Physical copies (DVD, Blu-ray) are also available for purchase from most major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed A Fish Called Wanda, you might like these similar films:

• The Lavender Hill Mob (1951): A classic Ealing comedy about a mild-mannered bank clerk who plots to steal gold bullion, similar to the heist element in A Fish Called Wanda.
• Snatch (2000): A fast-paced British crime comedy with a complex plot involving double-crosses and quirky characters, reminiscent of A Fish Called Wanda’s chaotic energy.
• Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988): Features con artists trying to outwit each other, combining humor with scheming and deception, akin to the dynamic between Wanda and Otto.
• In Bruges (2008): A dark comedy with criminal elements, showcasing dry British humor and unexpected violence, sharing a similar tone with A Fish Called Wanda.
• Ruthless People (1986): A dark comedy about a husband and wife who try to double cross each other while they have been kidnapped, similar to the double crossing and scheming.

🛒 A Fish Called Wanda Related Products

• A Fish Called Wanda (Blu-ray): High-definition Blu-ray edition of the classic comedy, featuring bonus content like behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast. A must-have for fans of the film.
• A Fish Called Wanda Movie Poster: Decorate your space with a high-quality print of the original ‘A Fish Called Wanda’ movie poster. A vibrant piece of memorabilia that captures the essence of the film’s comedic charm.
• Kevin Kline Signed Photo – A Fish Called Wanda: A autographed photograph of Kevin Kline as Otto in ‘A Fish Called Wanda’. The perfect addition to any collection.
• John Cleese: So, Anyway…: John Cleese’s autobiography that covers his life and career. A must-read for his Python fans.

🎧 Soundtrack

A Fish Called Wanda features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Nel blu, dipinto di blu” – performed by Domenico Modugno

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

John Cleese thanks everyone on the planet for his award

If you’re a fan of John Cleese or ‘A Fish Called Wanda’, you’ll love this video where Cleese gives a hilarious and heartfelt acceptance speech. His wit and humor are in full force, and it’s a great way to get a behind-the-scenes look at the movie.

Kevin Kline Wins Supporting Actor: 1989 Oscars

Kevin Kline gives a great acceptance speech after winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in ‘A Fish Called Wanda’. It’s a fun and heartwarming moment, and it’s great to see Kline get recognized for his excellent performance.

John Cleese and Michael Palin collect award for “A Fish Called Wanda”.

John Cleese and Michael Palin are a comedic duo that always brings the laughs, and this clip is no exception. They’re accepting an award for ‘A Fish Called Wanda’, and their banter is just as funny as the movie itself.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=OI7JHzC09o0

✨ Rate