The Fisher King was somewhat of a
transitional film for director Terry Gilliam, both as his first major Hollywood blockbuster and ironically one of his more
simplistic and subdued narratives. For the first time in his filmography, none
of the members of Monty Python are a part of the cast, and his iconic style was
focused into a thoughtful fantasy grounded in the character’s psychological
struggles. Though many of the fairy tale narrative elements are carried over
from Gilliam’s heavier fantasy and sci-fi films, they primarily exist in the
delusions of our protagonist’s broken psyche. It is an enigma of a film,
containing all of the elements necessary for the typical zaniness of a Gilliam
comedy-fantasy, but instead unfolds into a thoughtfully sentimental drama.
Though The Fisher King has been appreciated as
one of Gilliam’s greatest cinematic accomplishments, the Criterion Blu-ray
release is layered with additional significance with the death of Robin
Williams. Plenty of other films capture the comedian’s rapid-fire comedic
delivery, and a few years earlier he had proved himself a marvelously affecting
dramatic actor in Peter Weir’s Dead
Poet’s Society, but few roles captures the blending of both quite so
organically. We are able to laugh at the manic energy of Parry, a former
professor of medieval studies whose tragic loss has left him homeless and
mentally unstable, but it is never done at the expense of his character’s
suffering. We feel sympathy for Parry’s situation, but this does not interfere
with his ability to make us laugh.
The other half
of the film is carried by Jeff Bridges, who plays an irresponsible and selfish
radio shock jock whose careless comments led to the tragedy in Parry’s life.
With guilt so debilitating that he is spiraling towards suicidal actions, Jack
(Bridges) coincidentally meets Parry and instead directs his energy towards
helping the man whose life he inadvertently destroyed. Taking place in early
1990s Manhattan
Homeless and
living in a boiler room, Parry has no interest in worldly possessions or
wealth. There are only two things that seem to matter to him, and one of those
is a delusional search for the Holy Grail he believes to be hidden in plain
sight amidst the upper class of the Upper East Side .
This quest, which Jack inevitably must humor, is often hindered by an imaginary
Red Knight, whose appearances seem to represent Parry’s inability to face the
tragedy from his past. The other interest that Parry has is in a clumsy young
woman named Lydia Manhattan ,
Parry has taken to following Lydia
This Blu-ray
release features a newly restored 2K digital transfer with 5.1 surround DTS-HD
Master Audio, approved by Gilliam who also provides a new interview. Additional
new special features include more interviews with producer Lynda Obst,
screenwriter Richard LaGravenese, actors Bridges, Plummer and Ruehl, as well as
artists Keith Greco and Vincent Jefferds on the practical effects used to
create the Red Knight. There is also a new video essay with on-set photographs
taken by Bridges. Previously released extras are also included, from the
commentary tack by Gilliam to a 2006 interview with Williams. The deleted
scenes included also include an optional commentary track from Gilliam, and
there is also additional pre-production material in the costume tests and
footage of Bridges training as a radio personality. The package includes a
foldout insert with original artwork and an essay from film critic Bilge Ebiri.
Entertainment Value:
8.5/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 9/10
Historical
Significance: 8.5/10
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