The Fisher King

REVIEW
Gilliam's magical fable for modern times is an original and delightful masterwork complete with love, desperation and redemption. A hypnotic and exceptionally funny parable, the film stars Bridges as a hotshot D.J. whose world collapses when he feels responsible for a restaurant shooting. A few years later, he finds possible salvation in the form of street person Williams, a former professor whose wife was killed in the slayings. In a quest worthy of the Holy Grail, Bridges sets out to make amends for two of the lives touched by the tragedy. Williams gives one of his best performances: his manic, machine-gun comic delivery is much in evidence, of course, but never has the actor demonstrated such vulnerability and tenderness. Bridges, in a very subdued role, is equally impressive and Oscar-winner Ruehl is smashing as his lusty girlfriend.