The Fisher King [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray]

Director: Terry Gilliam Terry Gilliam

Overview

Terry Gilliam directed this adaptation of Richard LaGravenese's mystical (and mythical) tale of redemption in the hard-time town of New York City. Jeff Bridges is shock radio DJ Jack Lucas, whose low opinion of humanity lends itself well to his radio talk show, where the enmity rubs off on his listeners. One fan in particular takes Jack's rants to heart and goes to a fancy restaurant with a gun, murdering innocent diners. Jack is so distraught at what his on-air suggestion wrought that he sinks into a three-year depression, drinking himself to sleep and mooching off of his girlfriend Anne Napolitano (Mercedes Ruehl, in an Oscar-winning performance), an attractive owner of a video store. Hitting bottom, Jack slumps to the river, prepared to commit suicide. To his rescue comes a crazed but witty homeless man named Parry (Robin Williams), who tells Jack he's destined for great things -- all his has to do is find the Holy Grail (conveniently located in mid-town Manhattan) and save Parry's soul. He also wants Jack to help him out with the woman of his dreams, Lydia Sinclair (Amanda Plummer), a shy type who works at a publishing company. Parry was once a university professor became unglued by a tragic event in his past; Jack soon realizes that to save himself, he first must save Parry.

Product Details

Release Date:	06/23/2015
UPC:	0715515148917
Original Release:	1991
Rating:	R
Source:	Criterion Collection
Region Code:	A
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	2:18:00
Sales rank:	9,247

Special Features

Audio Commentary featuring Gilliam; New interviews with Gilliam, Producer Lynda Obst, Screenwriter Richard LaGravenese, and actors Jeff Bridges, Amanda Plummer, and Mercedes Ruehl; New interviews with artists Keith Greco and Vincent Jefferds on the creation of the film's Red Knight; Interview from 2006 with actor Robin Williams ; New video essay featuring Bridge's on-set photographs; Footage from 1991 of Bridges training as a radio personality with acting coach Stephen Bridgewater; Deleted scenes, with audio commentary by Gilliam; Costumes tests; Trailers ; Plus: An essay by critic Bilge Ebiri

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Robin Williams	Parry
Jeff Bridges	Jack Lucas
Mercedes Ruehl	Anne Napolitano
Amanda Plummer	Lydia
Michael Jeter	Homeless Cabaret Singer
Chris Howell	Red Knight
Al Fann	Superindendent
Kathy Najimy	Crazed Video Customer
Lisa Blades	Parry's Wife
Adam Bryant	Radio Engineer
Paul Lombardi	Radio Engineer,Radio engineer,Radio Engineer
Ted Ross	Limo Bum
Lara Harris	Sondra
Warren Olney	TV Anchorman
Frazer Smith	News Reporter
Harry Shearer	Sitcom Actor Ben Starr
Melinda Culea	Sitcom Wife
James Remini	Bum at Hotel
Mark Bowden	Doorman
John Ottavino	Father at Hotel
Brian Michaels	Little Boy
Jayce Bartok	First Punk
Dan Futterman	Second Punk
Bradley Gregg	Hippie Bum
William Jay Marshall	Jamaican Bum
William Preston	John the Bum
Stephen Bridgewater	Porno Customer
Richard LaGravenese	Strait Jacket Yuppie
Anita Dangler	Bag Lady
Johnny Paganelli	Pizza Boy
Diane Robin	Receptionist
John Benjamin Red	Motorcyclist
Christian Clemenson	Edwin
Carlos Carrasco	Doctor
Joe Jamrog	Guard
John de Lancie	TV Executive
Lou Hancock	Nurse
Caroline Cromelin	Radio Show Call-In,Voices
Kathleen Bridget Kelly	Radio Show Call-In,Voices
Patrick Fraley	Radio Show Call-In
Mel Bourne	Carmichael
Tom Waits	Homeless Vietnam Vet in Wheelchair
David Hyde Pierce	Lou Rosen
Jack Mulcahy	Actor
Kevin Fennessy	Actor
Ruben Dario Cruz II	Actor
Howard Feuer	Actor
John Heffernan	Stockbroker Bum
Mark Bringleson	Drooler
George Fenton	Composer

Technical Credits

Richard LaGravenese

Terry Gilliam	Director
Debra Hill	Producer
Lynda Obst	Producer
Howard Feuer	Casting
Chris Howell	Stunts
Dennis Dion	Special Effects
Robert McCarthy	Special Effects
Richard LaGravenese	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

The Fisher King offers a highly effective treatment of the time-honored themes of guilt, responsibility, and redemption. No one could say the film lacks in originality: There's enough tragedy, conflict, and Arthurian allusions in Richard LaGravenese's script for several films. Though the seams occasionally show, Terry Gilliam's inventive, sprightly direction smoothes over some of the material's more glaring rough spots. His fingerprints are all over the film, particularly in the surreal scene that transforms Grand Central Station into a dance hall. Gilliam is aided considerably by convincing turns from Jeff Bridges, Robin Williams, and Mercedes Ruehl, who won an Oscar. Though it may be overly ambitious, The Fisher King proves to be a rich, satisfying mix of humor, fantasy, and emotion.

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