The Colonial Theater is showing The Fisher King this weekend and I recommend giving it a watch. The Fisher King is a film from acclaimed filmmaker and founding member of Monty Python, Terry Gilliam (Seven Monkeys, Brazil, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail). This film was a bit of departure for Gilliam; his previous work was The Adventures of Baron Munchausen and was a difficult film to make (check Wikipedia for the full story) and was considered by the studio to be a commercial flop. By the time he began work on The Fisher King, Gilliam had not directed a movie in close to five years.
Starring Jeff Bridges, Mercedes Ruehl and Robin Williams, the film is not as explicitly post-modern as many of the director’s other films, nor does it have any midgets (if you have seen a lot of his work, you understand how unusual a little person free Gilliam flick is). I feel Terry Gilliam’s greatest achievement with this work is the performance he is able to solicit from Robin Williams. Very few directors are able to guide Williams’ energy and not allow his presents to dominate the piece. Gilliam manages to use Williams’ energy to support and enrich Bridges part.
While the Fisher King is not my favorite of Terry Gilliam’s work, I do think it is a career redefining work that is more enjoyable upon each viewing.

Posted by
Matthew Byrd