News Article

A Fish Called Wanda

(1988)

A Fish Called Wanda | FRIES WITH THAT? Kline and Palin
Image credit: A Fish Called Wanda: Kobal Collection
FRIES WITH THAT? Kline and Palin

''A Fish Called Wanda'': Why it's a great heist movie

THE SETUP Lusty American crooks Wanda (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Otto (Kevin Kline) team up with a pair of Brits: ringleader Georges (Tom Georgeson) and tongue-tied animal lover Ken (Michael Palin).

THE JOB A jewelry store heist

THE CATCH Wanda and Otto double-cross Georges and turn him in to the authorities. When they learn that he's moved the stolen goods to an unknown location, Wanda cozies up to Georges' lawyer Archie Leach (John Cleese) — and that doesn't sit well with a crazed, jealous Otto.

DOES CRIME PAY? Not for the fish called Wanda, who pays the price for her inadvertent involvement in the criminal hijinks. However, the performers fared well: Kline nabbed himself an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

EW GRADE C (Read the review)

Originally posted Jun 07, 2004

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