This movie keeps balancing between « 4 » and « 7 » : i liked the underbelly of NYC that was common in 80s, 90s and that has nearly disappeared today ; i liked the interest into those bums, losers while now only the winners can talk ; I liked the demented vision, the fantasy world because Gilliam really transcends the material and knows how to organize things ! Robin is fantastic, so free, showing so much different feeling, it's incredible ! I like the punch of the videostore owner ! I like the hidden fun (his movies posters, Hitler salute, …) On the other hand, i can't stand the Bridges family (as well the Sheens, Baldwins) and the first half of the movie is totally useless and boring ! I don't like the Lydia character as she is not that easy and kind ! I don't like how the movie lost its way, has a lot of scenes totally expandable and how a heroic fantasy magic tale suddenly becomes a romance comedy ??? I don't like the way Robin has nothing to do in the last half hour. The train station scene is a total flop and the score is particularly weak ! At the end, i give « 7 » because if i cut all the bad scenes, the remaining is pretty cool so it's not a total stinker !

Frankly I don't understand all the enthusiasm!?Plot? There is no real plot. OK fine there is one, a very classical arrogant successful guy hits a rock, sinks low, and then discovers generosity and helping others which makes him a better person. Yawn. OK, not yawn per se, but yawn in this film.Acting? - Robin Williams is Robin Williams in a one man show, or close to one; he does his usual part when someone lets him, i.e. if you remove his costume in your imagination you find that you could be in pretty much any other made for Robin Williams (Patch Adams, Mrs Doubtfire, Jumanji, etc.) He overacts so much and so constantly that it kills much of the movie that isn't Robin Williams - Jeff Bridges does his usual slow-moving, quiet, I'm not really sure I understand what is going on here thing. A bit like in K-Pax in many ways. He is at his best when he plays that he's drunk. - Amanda Plummer looks exactly like, hey I am a young actress and I worked hard and watched a lot of people with some mental and behavioural issues and look at how well I can portray such a person, only no, at no time is she even remotely credible. Someone go watch Jodie Foster in Nell, or Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man. - Mercedes Ruehl shines among this crowd. She is the only truly credible character, she acts, she has presence, it works. And what helps is that she has a "nice guy" part where she is kind, lovable, generous, you name it. Her award was well deserved.Filming / editing / pace? - something just doesn't work. Some bits are terribly terribly slow and without much if any content, but yet not achieving any particular depth that would justify this slow pace. Some bits are full of agitation and screaming but not sure why. Oh and there is the Red Knight which isn't really that useful and seems lifted directly from Baron Munchausen (where Robin Wiliams had a part btw).Bottom-line? Not a good arrogance meets punishment meets redemption movie. Average to downright terrible acting (or at any rate, overly dominant and very monotonous). Issues with pace. Terry Gilliam has made several films that I really like - but this one just doesn't work for me, sorry. And I really, really don't understand all the super-positive reviews, I just don't. Is no one going to scream, "hey the king is naked!" ?

This is my first review and I just watched The Fisher King for the first time.As a huge fan of both Bridges and Williams, I thought to give this one a chance, even though I've never heard anything about that movie before (I'm from Germany, guess it's not popular here at all)Starting with a totally different Bridges character, (compared to the Dude) adding a fantastic Williams (who would've thought of that..) and gently putting the delicious Michael Jeter and Mercedes Ruehl cherry on top - would be the recipe for a great movie.And it was, and I enjoyed every single minute of it. It's one of those movies that makes you think about our society, lives and world in general. There's a philosophical meaning behind it as well. All in all I'm overwhelmed by all of its actors, writing, directing and cinematography Definitely gonna watch it a few times more.Highly recommended

Yes RIP Robin Williams I can't find a better caption than this. The acting which he did in this movie is top-notch. I'd seen many movies of Mr. Williams like "R.V" and "Good Will Hunting" but to me this movie wins hands down, Robin Williams is so into character never breaks it and does with absolute perfection . But I must say that Jeff Bridges was also wonderful he's a talented actor and he's awesome. Mercedes Ruehl as Anne was also very interesting though her role was not important but still noticeable.So about the movie its about a man Jack who is a self arrogant, cynical and a type of a man who always thinks for himself he has no feelings for others, unintentionally did something terrible and one day a devastating news breaks on him and his life changes, after three yeas he was saved by a guy from suicide who's life is ruined by his mistakes and by helping that person he finds redemption.This movie could be better by improving some idiotic scenes which I found very stupid. This films also about Schizophrenia and how a person deals after a traumatic experience, so if you are interested in this, then definitely check this out.