Review of Bagdad Cafe (1987) by Jennifer A — 21 Apr 2006

[b]A Fish Called Wanda[/b], directed by Charles Crichton, is a crime comedy about four con artists who do a jewel heist and then try to con one another. Jamie Lee Curtis stars as Wanda, a woman who isn't above using her sex appeal to con her cohorts. First it's George (Tom Georgeson), then it's Otto (Kevin Kline) and finally George's attorney Archie (John Cleese). Michael Palin also stars as Ken, the bumbling conman with an affection for animals.

[i]A Fish Called Wanda[/i] is a lot of fun. A clever plot for a comedy and wonderful performances by the four leads, especially the Oscar winning Kevin Kline. The film is full of sight gags and social satire, with Kline taking direct aim at what he percieves as British elitism. A few of the sight gags misfire, but overall it's a winning comedy.

[b]Bagdad Cafe[/b], directed by Percy Adlon, is a quirky comedy drama which focuses on the characters of a desolate roadside cafe/gas station/motel. Jasmin (Marianne Sagebrecht) is a West German tourist who gets abandoned by her husband. She winds up at Bagdad Cafe and rents a room. Cafe owner Brenda (CCH Pounder) who is also having marital problems, is very suspicious of Marianne. Slowly but surely the two women forge an unlikely friendship which livens up the cafe. An odd cast of characters, including Jack Palance, round out the locals.

[i]Bagdad Cafe [/i]is a lightweight, but decent comedy mainly due to the charming performance of Marianne Sagebrecht. Aside from Jasmine and Brenda, the other characters are forgettable. However Adlon gives the film a nice look, and its quirky enough to appeal to some viewers.