With British-American culture clash as its dominant theme, A Fish Called Wanda bristles with wit, enlivened by delightfully over-the-top ensemble acting.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
Christian Science Monitor by David Sterritt
There are a few hilarious moments, and a few more that are foolish and even disgusting. [15 July 1988, Art and Leisure, p.21]
The Globe and Mail (Toronto) by Jay Scott
May be less than the sum of its parts, but its parts are more impressive than most other wholes around.
Chicago Reader by Jonathan Rosenbaum
Crichton keeps the laughs coming with infectious energy.
This crumbled-caper comedy is the funniest movie ever from a film maker late in his eighth decade. [22 July 1988, Life, p.4D]
San Francisco Chronicle by Peter Stack
I laughed so hard, my eyes watered. I laughed so loud, I lost track of whether anyone else was laughing. I laughed so much, I ached afterwards. [29 July 1988, Daily Notebook, p.E1]
Think of A Fish Called Wanda as the next best thing to a Looney Tunes-Merrie Melodies summerfest Wanda defies gravity, in both senses of the word, and redefines a great comic tradition. [July 18, 1988]
Chicago Sun-Times by Roger Ebert
The funniest movie I have seen in a long time.
Los Angeles Times by Sheila Benson
A convulsively funny affair.[15 July 1988, Calendar, p. 6-1]