Fish Out of Water (1999) Reviews

• Great entertainment: comic-book flavor with impressive cinematography and top-notch acting

  user1089r2000-12-20

  Delightfully entertaining Canadian fare from Robert Goudreau Productions (Montréal) with an often comic-book character -- yet with subtle symbolic overtones which lend more interest for children, teens and possibly adults. A boy (Patrick Thomas, most recently seen as "Frank" in another Canadian work, "Believe", with Rick Mabe) flees with an employee (Christopher Heyerdahl -- also in "Believe" as Thad Stiles) from an underworld figure (veteran John Heard) who threatens to destroy the family business. Susan Almglen plays the boy's mother Jennifer in a basically non-essential role, and Victor Knight provides comic relief in the role of "Grandpa". Altho Heard is certainly the most famous of the four principle actors, he has a minor part, and as the alternate, USA English title "Fish Out of Water" suggests, Thomas and Heyerdahl carry the film as "Chris Matherson" and "Bobby Fish" (or, as a child in the circus, "Roberto" [Simon Delguste]). The growing and moving relationship between the outgoing, confident, capable young Chris and the contrastingly timid and guilt-ridden Fish contain the meat of the film, overlaid on the conflict supplied by Heard, the criminal. As "Fish", Heyerdahl shows remarkable versatility playing a character nothing like he has played before and is so distinct from his role in "Believe" that one would never consider that he is the same actor. His demeanor, his looks, his gait and body language, all are geared to the unique character of "Fish" and none other, creating an identifiable and sympathetic persona which immediately draws the viewer into the film and makes it suddenly special. His role is key, since it supplies the basis of the metaphorical, "fish-out-of-water" aspect of the film which tends to make it more than just another kidflick. As for Director Geoffrey Edwards ("Too Good to be True" and who worked closely with Blake Edwards (a relative?) as writer and actor in several of the Pink Panther movies), his real success in this film was the selection of Patrick Thomas, a surprisingly accomplished young actor capable of unsuspected complexity, to play the part of the star of the screenplay, approximately thirteen-year-old "Chris". Thomas is a natural, and his expressive, engaging character-creation compares competently with that of the veterans like Heyerdahl and Heard. Even the most difficult, implausible lines are rendered evenly and believably (remember this is a comic-book movie). His imperturbability in the midst of the most demanding physical and expressive scenes, as well as his natural and easy good looks, will likely carry him to significant career in the future. He carries off all emotions with equal ease, ranging from genuine affection to genuine hysteria. Centering a film on a young actor is always a chancy enterprise at best, but this bet paid off royally. In the final analysis it must be said that the overall dramatic substance of the movie will not be satisfying to adults looking for a Hitchcockian plot, but the cinematography never fails to please, and the pacing maintains interest almost without exception. Remember that this film is a *comic book* -- plus much more -- and you will definitely go for it. All in all, a dependably entertaining film featuring veteran actors and a surprisingly talented young star. Memorable line: "Eurotrash????"

  More

• Dreadful

  millennia-22000-04-12

  Somehow I doubt anyone will ever be reading this, as 'The Witness' (it's known by that up here in Canada) was thrown together in a couple days, for a couple dollars, then shipped off to any video store stupid enough to buy a bad Canadian action flick starring John Heard. It's not even an action film. The box cover, with all it's flashy explosions and streamlined type, suggests an R rated 'Night of the Running Man' like non-stop action-packed thrill ride. What it is, though, is a family movie with Heard looking around and saying 'nothing ever escapes me', and when something does, 'Grrrr.... nothing has ever escaped me. I must get back at them'. At the beginning it looks as if it could change into a watchable, normal movie, Heard looks as though he is perfectly cast. He looks a bit like a hit man and he easily could play one, but here the character is poorly written and comes across as more of Disney character than anything else. His idea of torturing is victims is to feed them caviar, then deny them water afterwards, or to wave a dull knife in front of them and ask questions. Why Heard accepted this part is unknown, as Gregor is likely the most idiotic character I've ever seen. So please, please follow my advice and don't watch this movie, instead do something more enjoyable, like doing taxes or sorting receipts. Even if you are a Heard fan, avoid this one, as all he does is make a complete and total fool of himself.

  More

• Avoid it like the plague...

  almost2001-02-18

  This is one of the worst movies I have ever seen. Whoever designed the box for this movie is guilty of false advertising. It makes you think it is an exciting R rated movie, it's even listed as a thriller. This could not be farther from the truth. I don't see how anyone older than a preschooler could like this sorry excuse for a film. I guess the closest film to "The Witness" would be "Home Alone," even though it makes "Home Alone" look like a masterpiece. I'm in the USA and this movie is still called "The Witness" but whatever name you see it under, avoid it like your life depended upon it.

  More

• Many things can be said about this movie. But certainly nothing positive.

  Jack the Ripper18882002-04-21

  This is indeed the worst 'movie' that I have ever seen. I have no idea how many people might have died from having viewed this 'movie'. Thousands. Millions maybe. There's no telling how many have died from seeing this 'movie'. Promise me that if you ever see this 'movie' on your video store shelf, run away from it at full speed and vow never to go back to that video store again. Hop a jet and leave state! Just never submit yourself to watching this so-called 'movie'. If you have a copy of the tape in your possession, burn it! It doesn't deserve to exist! Avoid this movie.......1/2* out of 5.

  More