Shooting Fish (1997)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Stefan Schwartz

Writers:

Stefan Schwartz (writer) &
Richard Holmes (writer)

Release Date:

1 May 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | 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:

Con Artist | Scam | Orphanage | Horse Racing | Geek

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:

Police detective: Sir, so far the only proof of a burglary is that someone stopped your video taping Blind Date.
Mrs Ray: Bastards!
Mr Ray: Oh, shut it!

Movie Connections:

References "Blind Date" (1985)

Soundtrack:

Golden Skin

Excellent!! Sweet, funny and intelligent...

This movie is simply great. While it perhaps lacks a larger social message, other than the simple "do good with what you have", it is a smart, funny movie which definitely has its moments, both cinematic and dramatic. The rags to riches story of two orphan con men: one, a genius Brit, the other, the American spin doctor. Together they engage in "shooting fish", or fleecing rich people of their extra cash, in order to buy themselves the lavish house they've each coveted because of their simple upbringing. The story is fun and engaging, the characters seem very very real, and the different cons they pull off together are extremely funny. I won't give away any of the story, except to say that the has a nice, unexpected twist. An excellent date movie, or even to take in with a couple of close friends. You may not laugh out loud the whole time like you did at "There's Something About Mary" or other slapstick comedies, but you'll definitely be smiling the whole time, and by the time the credits role you'll simply be in a much better mood than you were when you started.