Overview
A journey of redemption unfolds as a man seeks to save a troubled soul.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- witty
- surreal
- melancholic
- reflective evening
- robin williams film night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film an odd but affecting blend of comedy, drama, and fantasy, praising its performances and Gilliam's askew imagination despite some reservations about its sentimentality.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jack's career-ending radio remark and its consequences motivate his effort to help Parry recover.
Manhattan streets, homeless communities, and everyday interiors are transformed by visions of the Fisher King and the Holy Grail.
Parry's obsession with finding the Holy Grail turns trauma, healing, and salvation into a quest.
Jack's fall from media prominence brings him into sustained contact with Parry and New York's homeless community.
Films like The Fisher King, and why
Brazil
shares a whimsical yet melancholic fantasy drama tone, emotionally wounded protagonists, and themes of guilt, redemption, and human connection
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
shares Terry Gilliam's surreal visual imagination, dark comedy, psychological trauma, and a damaged outsider seeking meaning
The Straight Story
shares a bittersweet urban redemption story centered on guilt, delusion, and an unlikely bond between emotionally damaged people
Truly Madly Deeply
shares a romantic fantasy-drama structure, eccentric characters, and a compassionate exploration of loneliness and healing
Movie Details
- Director
- Terry Gilliam
- Release Date
- 1991-09-20
- Runtime
- 138 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (1528)
Cast
- Robin Williams
- Jeff Bridges
- Amanda Plummer
- Mercedes Ruehl
- Michael Jeter
- William Jay Marshall
- Chris Howell
- Adam Bryant
- Paul Lombardi
- David Hyde Pierce
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Fisher King about?
- A disgraced radio celebrity seeks redemption by helping a traumatized homeless visionary pursue an impossible grail and an unlikely love.
- What is The Fisher King like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Fisher King as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Fisher King violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Fisher King as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Fisher King?
- Critics broadly found the film an odd but affecting blend of comedy, drama, and fantasy, praising its performances and Gilliam's askew imagination despite some reservations about its sentimentality.
- Which films are like The Fisher King?
- Films with a similar feel include Brazil, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, The Straight Story, and Truly Madly Deeply.
- How long is The Fisher King?
- The Fisher King runs 138 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Fisher King?
- In United States, The Fisher King is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
