The Fisher King ★★★ 1991 (R) In derelict-infested Manhattan a down-and-out radio deejay meets a crazed vagabond (Williams) obsessed with medieval history and in search of the Holy Grail. At first the whimsical mix of Arthurian myth and modern urban hell seems amazingly wrongheaded. In retrospect it still does. But while this picture runs it weaves a spell that pulls you in, especially in its quiet moments. Your reaction to the silly ending depends entirely on how well you're bamboozled by a script that equates madness with enlightment and the homeless with holy fools. Filmed on the streets of New York, with many street people playing themselves. 138m/C VHS, DVD, Wide. Robin Williams, Jeff Bridges, Amanda Plummer, Mercedes Ruehl, Michael Jeter, Harry Shearer, John de Lancie, Kathy Najimy, David Hyde Pierce;
Director:
Terry Gilliam;
Writer:
Richard LaGravenese;
Writer:
Roger Pratt;
Cameo:
George Fenton. Oscars '91: Support. Actress (Ruehl); Golden Globes '92: Actor—Mus./Comedy (Williams), Support. Actress (Ruehl); L.A. Film Critics '91: Actress (Ruehl).
