Review of The Fisher King (1991) by Boxleitner — 27 Apr 2023

Originally an allegory of how humanity is waiting for its savior, “The Fisher King” is a story about a man so driven by fame and power, that he can’t look past his own nose. The protagonist, Jack, is unable to consider the thoughts or feelings of others, until an un-empowered man (the Fisher King is a representation of those of us who are “castrated” and unable to produce or fend for ourselves) enters his life, giving him the opportunity of redemption. The movie is, in itself, a creative and meaningful adaptation of the mythological tale, but is very poorly scripted, often leading the viewer into frustration, annoyance, apathy and disregard.

Robin Williams was an incredible talent; his mind was constantly creating in an incessant unease; possibly brought on by a feverous need for acceptance and meaning. Like for many of us, comedy was a mandatory survival tactic for Robin, but he went further, eventually thriving upon it. Sadly, “The Fisher King” fails to tread the delicate balance between drama and comedy, and understandably, since the two are incredibly different. Robin’s relentless energy is misplaced and poorly directed, often presented at pivotal points of emotion or danger, instead of properly and timely at appropriate moments in the plot. Terry Gilliam fails to temper Robin’s antics, shape a proper homeless lunatic, or present believable social interactions. This movie definitely did not merit award, but was still able to pull off many, including the Oscar, eventually becoming the only so honored movie in Gilliam’s repertoire (how did his movie “Brazil” not get noticed?).

Despite the intriguing premise and exceptional cast, “The Fisher King” is unable to rise above mediocrity, weighed down heavily by its horrendously wordy and meaningless script. Writer Richard LaGravenese either allowed the actors free reign or butchered the dialogue. Other aspects of the film are basically flawless, such as Roger Pratt’s unique cinematography, as well as sound, music and editing. Depth and meaning are also presented correctly in the film. For example, the fact that Jack wears Parry’s clothing in order to retrieve the grail is symbolic of his triumph of being able to walk in Parry’s shoes. A massive achievement for Jack, who was unable to respect or understand others before this friendship. In conclusion, “The Fisher King” is probably a movie worth watching in the background, while doing something else.