A Fish Called Wanda

A quirky comedy with a distinct sense of humor, heavily influenced by the style of Monty Python. Since Monty Python's humor has never really been my thing, I found it a bit tough to fully get into the comedic flow of this movie. It has its highs and lows, and after a while, the somewhat naive humor starts to feel repetitive. John Cleese, Michael Palin, and Kevin Kline deliver solid performances, but Jamie Lee Curtis didn’t quite land for me. Overall, it’s got some good moments, but it didn’t entirely click with me. (07/07/2021)

Although the influence of the ex-Pythons is not as evident, this is a top action-comic affair with typically dry humor and a pretty decent pace. Jamie Lee Curtis adds a bit of indispensable feminine charm, and one can also deal with the fact that A Fish Called Wanda could have more humor and playfulness. (12/26/2006)

The initial intertwining with the story and getting to know all the quirky players may be slightly creaky, but from John Cleese's failed visit on, it becomes one of the best spy comedies ever. The twists and turns come at just the right time, the gags almost never falter, and the actors are real and precious ornaments. Whether it was the sex-appeal of Jamie Lee Curtis, the endearingly infatuated Cleese or the utterly excellent Kevin Kline, who never failed to make me gasp with laughter (and he didn't even have to speak). A great classic that should be on TV for the rest of eternity at least once a year. :) 85% (01/02/2014)

The script, full of intricate intrigues and betrayals, is skillfully directed in a clear and witty style, exactly as intended. Unfortunately, this cannot be said about the pace, which lags far behind, especially at the beginning. Fortunately, the fantastic cast raises the bar back to its original position, making it almost a pure cinematic pleasure to enjoy the brilliance of Kevin Kline, who rightfully deserves an Oscar. On the other hand, John Cleese, without his typical moustache, is not far behind him at all. It is a delightful heist spectacle that rightfully takes pride in its intricacy and stylishness, leaving a lingering impression in one's mind. (01/07/2006)

British humor combined with a bit of the American approach works absolutely perfectly here, and John Cleese shows that comedy can be entertaining, slapstick, yet still vulgar and with a great story. Here, every actor is in their absolutely right place, from Jamie Lee Curtis, through Kevin Kline, to both Monty Pythons. (02/02/2016)