The defence The Big-Idea Head
“Form is the argument.”
Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.
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A Fish Called Wanda
Comedy · Crime · 1988
While a diamond advocate attempts to steal a collection of diamonds, troubles arise when he realises he’s not the only one after the collection.
Movie details
A Fish Called Wanda
“A tale of murder, lust, greed, revenge, and seafood.”
1988 Comedy · Crime 1h 49m
Critical arithmetic
One number, for now.
Scores change. Arguments endure.
TMDB
7.2 / 10
Community rating
While a diamond advocate attempts to steal a collection of diamonds, troubles arise when he realises he’s not the only one after the collection.
CriticWise case file
What this film says about your taste.
Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.
The archetype split
Who fights over A Fish Called Wanda?
For the defence
The Big-Idea Head
“You watch with your brain, not your gut.”
Read their case For the prosecution
The Popcorn Loyalist
“Big screen, big feelings, no apologies.”
Read their objectionThe split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.
Taste neighbourhood
Nearby on the taste map.
TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.
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When an upwardly mobile couple find themselves unemployed and in debt, they turn to armed robbery in desperation.
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The Hitman's Bodyguard
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Trap House
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Where it lives
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Names above the title
The people responsible.
Cast & crew
Directed by
Charles Crichton
Written by
John Cleese · Charles Crichton
Jamie Lee Curtis
Wanda Gershwitz
John Cleese
Archie Leach
Kevin Kline
Otto
Michael Palin
Ken Pile
Maria Aitken
Wendy
Tom Georgeson
Georges Thomason
Cynthia Cleese
Portia
Court is in session
Put A Fish Called Wanda on trial.
Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.
The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist
“Technique in search of a pulse.”
Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.