Review of Fish Called Wanda, A: Special Edition (2 Discs)

Introduction

John Cleese was a celebrated comedian when he decided to tackle the one field that he had not met complete success: film. The Monty Python series may have been adapted from TV to screen, but he hadn`t enjoyed success of a completely original project.

After working on the hugely popular Fawlty Towers, and after just making Clockwise (which bombed at the box office), he came up with the idea that four people made the best template for comedy, as there were so many different ways in which banter could take place.

In the 1980s, he began to pen a script, and soon needed to find a director to helm his project. He cast his mind back to the 60s when he was about to work with the acclaimed director of some of the Ealing comedies - Charles Crichton. But, due to other work commitments, the duo were unable to make a film together, but now seemed to be the perfect opportunity. Later, over coffee in France, they fine-tuned the script and began talking about casting. Cleese said how Michael Palin, another veteran of the Monty Python days, was a dead cert, and he himself would star, but they needed the two other leads, plus of course the supporting cast.

He eventually decided to cast American actors Kevin Kline and Jamie Lee Curtis - the former famous for his Shakespearian work, the latter famous for her horror work...hardly the CV required to fill the roles in a comedy. After an extensive pre-production, A Fish Called Wanda began filming, and soon it would be unleashed upon the world...

Barrister Archie (John Cleese) falls in love and tosses off more than his wig for sexy thief Wanda (Jamie Lee Curtis) - who can charm the pants off anyone! To make things worse, Wanda is already using her charms on fellow partner-in-crime Otto (Kevin Kline), a dim-witted, intellectual psychopath who thinks the London Underground is a political movement! Meanwhile, Otto is making eyes at henchman Ken (Michael Palin), an animal loving multiple dog-killer, who is infatuated with a fish...called Wanda.

Video

1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen. The visuals are deep and well defined, with good colour definition, and the flesh tones and other uses of the palette are presented well. The print is crisp and clear throughout, and the transfer replicates this quality with an artefact-free picture.

Like many of Cleese`s past work, in particular Fawlty Towers, he has scripted some very amusing scenarios in which the characters get themselves into. Visually, the film contains some very good direction from the elderly Crichton (he was 77 when he filmed A Fish Called Wanda), who mixes action set-pieces with more understated scenes where the characters are allowed to breathe and develop.

Audio

Dolby Digital 5.1 (English). The soundtrack is solid throughout, with a fairly ambient soundstage, although this is a dialogue-driven film, so surround definition and the subwoofer aren`t used to great effect. But, what is on offer is good - the main audio stream is crisp and clear, and when the surrounds are used, they do add to the atmosphere, although not as much as some other DVD surround sound mixes.

Cleese`s script is both original and a memento of what he has achieved. Archie Leach (amusingly named after Cary Grant`s real name) is a completely new character yet contains hallmarks of Basil Fawlty and the ideosyncrasies of some of the Python characters Cleese played over the years. The other characters all merge together under the narrative so it seems that they are the quintessential ensemble for a piece such as this - without them this just wouldn`t succeed. This vision is backed up by some very witty dialogue and set-pieces, all scripted perfectly by Cleese, and thus the actors are able to use the script in order to get the best out of their performances.

Features

This was released a while back as a bare-bones release, but now, eventually, MGM have decided to rectify the situation. I hereby present the plethora of extras found on this special edition:

On the first disc, things begin the way all DVDs should begin - with an insightful audio commentary. Featuring John Cleese, this is a somewhat refrained piece from the comedian, so instead of laughs aplenty there is information aplenty: something fans of A Fish Called Wanda will no doubt lap up. Anecdotal and interesting throughout, this is a perfect way to watch the film on a repeat viewing. Only shame is that Kline, Palin and Curtis couldn`t have come along for the ride.

As well as an audio track, there is a trivia track - a feature that enables text to pop up on the screen at certain points to offer some insight into particular things. Good, and again, perfect for a repeat viewing.

The second disc then commences with a documentary "John Cleese`s First Farewell Performance", which is fairly hefty at 47 minutes but is also fairly good. Made at the time of the film`s release, it looks at the conception of the project and then up to its eventual release and success. Featuring interviews with the main players and behind-the-scenes footage, it is a very well made feature for fans and DVD collectors alike.

"Something Fishy" is another interesting documentary, albeit it slightly shorter, clocking in at 30 minutes. This is a retrospective feature, so more than a decade of hindsight is used in the interviews featuring the actors and some of the crew. Again, well made, and well presented.

The third and final documentary on the second disc is entitled "Fish You Were Here" (another example of the `witty` puns involving seafood...) and is a 17 minute look at the various locations used in the film. It is in fact an episode of the TV show On Location, so no doubt the presenter and style of the show will be familiar to some viewers. The episode itself is good, if a little too long, but for those wanting to either have a very clear shape of the production in their mind or to go and see where the film was shot, this is useful.

There is also a collection of deleted scenes, with each scene containing an introduction from Cleese with his comments as to why some of them were cut. They are all good, bar a couple, and add to the style of the film, but of course for pacing reasons some had to be cut - whilst others shouldn`t have been cut, and I think, in hindsight, Cleese has realised this. A shame, but hey, DVD is the perfect medium to witness things that otherwise would remain unseen.

Included is an alternative ending, part of the deleted scenes section, and this focuses on the conning Wanda instead of the loving Wanda: the latter the result of test screenings in which the audience wanted more romance from Archie and Wanda.

John Cleese recorded a 4 minute message around the time of release, which is included here. However, it isn`t particularly good, and he just bumbles through it, meaning there are only a couple of short laughs to be had.

A photo gallery is also on offer, and features images from behind-the-scenes and from publicity materials. Does what it says on the tin.

Advertising completes the package - trailers, TV and radio spots to be exact. They are good for completion reasons I suppose.

The menus are animated well with a definite ocean theme, with the score playing in the background. They are fairly easy to navigate.

Conclusion

This is one comedy that will no doubt evade time for years - it always feels fresh and original, and offers humour and watchability in equal amounts. Containing a fairly intricate plot considering this is billed as a comedy, A Fish Called Wanda comfortably fits into caper terrority, and succeeds admirably.

The four leads are excellent, with the highlight being Kevin Kline`s performance as psychopath Otto. Without him, the film would still be good, but no where near as good. He brings the main laughs, and he deservedly steals the film. But, the other three also put in some accomplished performances: Cleese uses his comic experience and timing to create a developed `hero`; Palin is amusing as the stuttering animal lover; and Curtis brings just enough charm and backstabbing to the role of the charming backstabber Wanda.

A mention must also go to Cleese again...this time for his script. It is engaging and witty, with some very quotable and memorable moments, which mean that it is rightly at the centre of the film.

Crichton, who has since passed away, brings together all the elements in a no-nonsense approach - unnecessary technical wizadry is out the window as he focuses the camera where it should be. David Fincher he ain`t, but in a film like this, you just don`t need cameras flying around the scene like they are on ecstasy.

The DVD really has had the special edition treatment, and boasts very good visuals and audio with equally-good extras. On the subject of the latter, with a few others participating in the commentary, the special features would have been dynamite.

A Fish Called Wanda is very rewatchable: a comedy that lives up to its genre, with so many things going on it should please most viewers. Great acting, great scripting, great directing, great everything - the only downside being everything is tied up perhaps a bit too cleanly at the end, and at times the style won`t appeal to everyone. Aside from these two small discrepencies, this is a gem presented on a solid package. One to own.