Shooting Fish (1997)

Director:

Stefan Schwartz

Writers:

Stefan Schwartz (writer) &
Richard Holmes (writer)

Release Date:

1 May 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Romance

Tagline:

As con artists they were hard to beat. But they were easy targets for LOVE.

Plot:

Two con artists' plan to steal enough for a house are twisted when a pretty girl enters the picture.

Plot Keywords:

Secretary | Money | Con Artist | Scam | Orphan

Awards:

3 wins

Cast

Rowena Cooper	...	Jez's Teacher
Scott Charles	...	Samuel
Antonia Corrigan	...	Antonia
Myles Anderson	...	Jez - Age 8
Jane Lapotaire	...	Dylan's Headmistress
Harry Ditson	...	IRS Man
Jacob Macoby	...	Dylan - Age 8
Dan Futterman	...	Dylan
Tom Chadbon	...	Mr. Greenaway
Kate Beckinsale	...	Georgie
Stuart Townsend	...	Jez
Phyllis Logan	...	Mrs. Ross
Vicki Bensted	...	Bank Clerk
Peter McNamara	...	Geoff
Ralph Ineson	...	Mr. Ray

Also Known As:

The Entrepreneurs (UK) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic elements, suggestive humor and language.

Runtime:

109 min | USA:103 min | UK:99 min (DVD version)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | Germany:6 | Argentina:13 | Canada:PG | Chile:14 | Finland:S | France:U | Norway:7 | Portugal:M/12 (video premiere) | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, Muswell Hill, London, England, UK

Company:

Gruber Bros

Trivia:

During filming, animal rights activists showed up with the intention to make sure all the fish were treated correctly. After viewing the script, and realizing that the title of the film was really more about cheating 'fish' that actually shooting it, they left somewhat embarrassed.

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: In the first shot of Dylan and Jez's place, there are clocks on the walls. The clock for New York says 12 o'clock. In the next scene, the clock for Frankfurt also says 12 o'clock. In fact, all their clocks are stopped at 12 o'clock.

Quotes:

[helium voice]
Jockey: I knew if he got the right conditions we'd be flyin'.

Movie Connections:

References "Blind Date" (1985)

Soundtrack:

Beautiful Alone

Highly Recommended Viewing

I have seen this film so many times and never get sick of it. The casting is brilliant with Dan Futterman and Stuart Townsend in fantastic performances.

The plot is quite original following Dylan and Jez - two English con artists who are tricking people out of their money by selling voice recognition computers and other false devices. They need two million dollars to buy the house they never had - having grown up as orphaned children. On one of their scams they employ a secretary and medical student named Georgie, who is convinced they are raising money for an orphans project. This adds romantic themes into the story to make it even more entertaining. A stand out is the interesting relationship that Dylan and Jez have with each other, Dylan being the fast talking American and Jez being the British techno genius.

I recommend 'Shooting Fish' to all movie-goers. It has a great soundtrack, is funny, romantic, creative and a great achievement for British filmmaking.