Customer Reviews

Dream With the Fishes [VHS]

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the best film I've seen in a LONG time. (about a year or so). I honestly don't participate in many reviews, but i just finished viewing this film and felt that it deserves a review. I bought this film on Amazon (used) for a couple bucks (about 8 bucks incl. s+h) based on the positive reviews from viewers, and let me tell you it was WELL worth every cent. (I would of paid 3 times that price...even used !!) If you like quirky, off-beat characters, good dialogue, dark humor, romance, emotionally driven, road TRIPping kind of flicks....look no further than this little gem of a film. Trust me, I love ALL KINDS of films and I have seen (roughly) about 300 or so, and I can gladly say that this one definately ranks up there in the top 30 of my all time favorites. I'm not even going to tell you anything specific about the film because I already told you the jest of it all. No matter what films you have seen in a LONG time, I'm sure you will appreciate the splendid beauty of Dream With the Fishes. Even if you don't care too much for David Arquette, (I don't) give him a chance in this one because this has to be his strongest, most serious performance of his life, playing a seriously suicidal, yet deeply compassionate character. Brad Hunt is a newcomer to me, but his comical, yet serious performance drove this flick to perfection, not to mention the beautiful Katherine Erbe as the confused struggling girlfriend of Brad Hunts' character. Do yoursef a favor and check this one out if you haven't already. Better yet, just buy it here at Amazon. You can get it used at a decent price. Too bad it's not available on dvd, but hopefully will be soon. This film is very entertaining and you probably won't even want to leave your seat until the credits are over. Highly recommended for fans of indie films or fans of just plain good cinema. Do not hesitate to rent or even BUY this extraordinary film, and you can even get it in widescreen here at Amazon for a few more dollars, but it's WELL worh it. Hope you like it.....Actually I am going to view it again right now.....

This is one of those unknown films which deserves to be known. Its is honestly one of the best films i've seen in a long time. Its a buddy movie, a unique one, that deals with one guy (Arquette) who is a social loser, and another guy (Hunt) who has a lust for life. The two go on a trip to fulfill Hunt's fantasies, which are hilarious in themselves, dropping acid at a carnival, bowling naked.. Its just really funny, but poignant at the same time. Brad Hunt totally reminds me of Gary Oldman in this movie, he's great. The only drawback may be Arquette who i don't like very much, but did a good job with his role. Its definitely worth seeing, its brilliant.

This film, by director Finn Taylor, came out in 1997 and I saw it at an arthouse theater. I was so blown away by it, particularly the characters, the story, and some magnificent cinematography. Yes, it wasn't a box office smash, but I assume if you are looking for that kind of a film you'll rent a monstrosity like titanic or some other over-the-top special effects bonanza. Dream with the fishes is pure brilliance by a director, who seems to not have done anything since this 97 release. The home video version is great but still doesn't stand up to seeing this great film on the big screen, with a good sound system for the awesome soundtrack. Try to find the widescreen version, if possible. When the film is nearing the end and that beautiful Nick Drake song, 'River Man' is being played, I got tears in my eyes. It is extremely rare for me to become emotionally involved with characters in today's films, but this flick is one of the few exceptions. Arquette and Hunt are so great, regardless to what some other bone headed reviewer says. Check this one out, you'll be happy you did.

Very touching film that deeply scratches the surface of the relationship between trying to live and die. Made me remember the old adage that if you aren't actively trying to live your life then you are in fact dying, so make it count. Dressed with humor and well portrayed emotion and events (Trip scene) this movie is very realistic and didn't leave me feeling like i had been preached to nor embarrassed that it had moved me so much. I hope you enjoy it as much as i did.

Having been handmaiden to a dying friend - who didn't want to die - this film was a big sweet balm to me, and it felt true throughout. I especially appreciated the heightened colors used (that's how everything looks when things could end any day, I was told) and the sort of witless wierd closeness that can develop between people when the final moment is, well, UP. Also, this is a strange point, but being a San Franciscan, you get used to seeing your city used as metaphor for all kinds of reasons. It was refreshing to see the City used as simply a backdrop. Want to se anything else Finn Taylor or Brad Hunt will do.

Dream With The Fishes is by far the best film that I have seen so far in my fifteen years of life, and I believe that it will hold it's title in my appreciation for many more years to come. This film gave me a view of life, as does the bible to other people. It made me appreciate the simpler things in life more. Mr. Finn Taylor is a wonderful and talented film maker, and I hope he continues to work on more projects such as this masterpiece.

Have you ever wondered if you've missing anything? You go to your local video store, pick up a few interesting prospects, but then at the last minute decide to just go with only one or two, putting the rejects back. Often, but not always, you've never look at those titles again, you'll forget, or never think about them again. I always worry what I could be missing....

Dream With The Fishes is perhaps one of the greatest films you've never seen. Written and directed by Finn Taylor in 1997, and starring David Arquette, Katherine Erbe and Brad Hunt, it's the story of two guys, terminal in one way or another in life, who meet by chance on a bridge, and decide to work together on a "Bucket List" of sorts, and head out on a trip up the coast of California.

Terry (David Arquette), an uptight, isolated suicidal widow, strikes a deal with Nick (Brad Hunt), who's dying from a rare condition, for his life insurance money, if he'll help fullfill Nick's fantasies before he dies. As the two set out, they leave behind quickly and quietly, Liz (Katherine Erbe), Nick's girlfriend, to follow behind them. Nick and Terry aren't friends, and they don't really trust each other at first. They have an understanding and kindship in regards to their own prespective fates. As they travel, they take us nude bowling, acid tripping at a fish aquarium, visits to lost girlfriends, and tricking each other with a faux lotto, amongst other things. The pair make a final trip, when running low on money, up the coast to see Nick's estranged parents to mend the relationship (and garage), before Nick is gone.

It's here where you become deeply invested and involved with the characters in Finn Taylor's film, and start to experience a emotional connection to them. We have no choice but to spend time with the new friends and family as we go through Nick's final days. The film has a one of a kind, beautiful soundtrack as well. It's filled mostly, with somewhat modestly unknown singer songwriter artists along the way, whose work fits the ultimate tone of the film.

Very Un-Hollywood feeling, Dream with the Fishes, does leave you with a satisfied feeling as the credit's roll, and even perhaps a soft spot for future viewings down the road. The film was a mere footnote in 1997, never playing theater's and could barely be seen on the new release walls of your local video stores, if at all. Not giving away the big plot twists here for good reason, seek out and watch this film. It's a important piece of work.

Just by chance, I caught CHERISH on IFC. I immediately ordered it and watched it every night until FISHES arrived. I ordered DREAM WITH THE FISHES merely from watching the Special Features on the CHERISH DVD, when Brad Hunt had mentioned FISHES (not knowing anything at all about the movie; plus I also ordered the Soundtracks to both of these Excellent Movies!). When FISHES arrived, I watched it even more than CHERISH! Brad Hunt's acting in this movie is SO OUTSTANDINGLY FLAWLESS And GENUINE!!! Add that together with the rest of the Perfectly Cast Actors and another Superb Soundtrack, and I think this is one Exceptionally Terrific Film! I must also mention the splendidly flawless way the music was edited to some of the video shots of fading in and out. Along with the song played when Terry walks into Nick's hospital room for the last time (brilliant shot of Brad Hunt laying in the hospital bed)!
FINN TAYLOR IS, BY FAR, THE BEST WRITER / DIRECTOR In a Very Long Time, as he is Incredibly ORIGINAL, BRILLIANT, CREATIVE and TALENTED, and Just Plain FANTASTIC!!!
I can't wait to see THE DARWIN AWARDS!

THIS IS ONE MOVIE YOU SHOULD HAVE IN YOUR LIBRARY! WHAT A GREAT SHOW! DON'T LET THE TITLE FOOL YOU! I WAS A LITTLE SKEPTICAL MYSELF, BUT WAS I SURPRIZED!!! ONE OF THE "KEEPERS" FOR A LONG TIME!!! ~ ENJOY!!!

This is an enjoyable lil'film. Heart-warming, charming, thought-provoking with a fun sound-track. A cohesion of twists and turns, deffinitely worth watching once maybe even twice like I did, and who knows in the next couple of years even a 3rd time around through my DVD player. Rent it now!