100
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.
A Fish Called Wanda
Critic Rating
(read reviews)User Rating
- United Kingdom,
- United States
- 1988
- · 109m
Director
Charles Crichton
Cast
John Cleese,
Jamie Lee Curtis,
Kevin Kline,
Michael Palin,
Maria Aitken,
Tom Georgeson
Genre
Comedy,
Crime
British gangster George Thomason and his hapless sidekick draft a pair of cocky, American criminals to help with a massive diamond heist. When it doesn't go as planned, Wanda, the American con artist, tries to seduce George's friends to find out where the diamonds are hidden.
Stream A Fish Called Wanda
What are critics saying?
100
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]
100
Los Angeles Times by Sheila Benson
A convulsively funny affair.[15 July 1988, Calendar, p. 6-1]
100
Time by Richard Schickel
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]
100
Chicago Sun-Times by Roger Ebert
The funniest movie I have seen in a long time.
100
Mr. Showbiz by Carmel Dagan
Director Charles Crichton's hilarious romp.
100
ReelViews by James Berardinelli
One of the best-constructed, funniest, and most clever comedies to grace motion picture screens in recent years. It's outrageous, offensive, and even a little sick -- and all the more enjoyable because of it.
90
Chicago Reader by Jonathan Rosenbaum
Crichton keeps the laughs coming with infectious energy.
90
Washington Post by Rita Kempley
It's a deliciously dishy comedy, but like sushi an acquired taste.
80
Variety
Curtis steals the show with her keen sense of comic timing and sneaky little grins and asides.
80
Variety by Staff (Not Credited)
Curtis steals the show with her keen sense of comic timing and sneaky little grins and asides.
75
USA Today by Mike Clark
This crumbled-caper comedy is the funniest movie ever from a film maker late in his eighth decade. [22 July 1988, Life, p.4D]
60
TV Guide Magazine
With British-American culture clash as its dominant theme, A Fish Called Wanda bristles with wit, enlivened by delightfully over-the-top ensemble acting.
50
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]
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