The Fisher King (film)
| The Fisher King | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Terry Gilliam |
| Produced by |
Debra Hill Lynda Obst |
| Written by | Richard LaGravenese |
| Starring | |
| Music by | George Fenton |
| Cinematography | Roger Pratt |
| Edited by | Lesley Walker |
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Production
company |
Hill/Obst Productions
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| Distributed by | TriStar Pictures |
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Release date
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Running time
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137 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $24 million |
| Box office | $41.9 million |
The Fisher King is a 1991 American comedy-drama film written by Richard LaGravenese and directed by Terry Gilliam. It stars Robin Williams and Jeff Bridges, with Mercedes Ruehl, Amanda Plummer, and Michael Jeter in supporting roles. The film is about a radio shock jock who tries to find redemption by helping a man whose life he inadvertently shattered.
The film was released in the United States by TriStar Pictures on September 20, 1991. Grossing $42 million over a $24 million budget, the film received positive reviews from critics and was a moderate commercial success. The film also received several accolades.
Jack Lucas, a narcissistic, misanthropic shock jock, becomes despondent after his insensitive comments prompt an unstable caller to commit a mass murder-suicide at a popular Manhattan restaurant. Three years later, Jack is drunk and depressed, working with his girlfriend Anne in a video store. One night while drinking, he attempts suicide but is attacked and nearly set aflame by thugs. He is rescued by Parry, a deluded homeless man on a mission to find the Holy Grail, eventually convincing Jack to help him. The latter feels responsible for Parry's condition, a result of witnessing his wife's death during the mass murder-suicide while also continually terrified by a hallucinatory red knight.
Jack learns that Parry's real name is Henry Sagan, a former teacher at Hunter College. Following his wife's death, he took on the persona of Parry and became obsessed with the legend of the Fisher King. According to Parry, the Fisher King was charged by God with guarding the Holy Grail, but incurred an incapacitating wound for his sin of pride. A Fool asks the King why he suffers, and when the King says he is thirsty, the Fool gives him a cup of water, the Grail, to drink. The King asks, "How did you find what my brightest and bravest could not?" The Fool replies "I don't know. I only knew that you were thirsty."
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Wikipedia