Product Details

• Actors: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Charles, Antonia Corrigan, Myles Anderson, Jane Lapotaire
• Directors: Stefan Schwartz
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: 20th Century Fox
• VHS Release Date: February 2, 1999
• Run Time: 103 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305248877
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #429,004 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Shooting Fish is the kind of movie that evaporates once the end credits roll, but it's lightweight fun while it lasts. An amusing prologue sets the tone: Two young orphan boys--one in America, one in England--demonstrate their precocious ability to subvert the strict rules of society. Eighteen years later, the clever Yankee schemer Dylan (Dan Futterman) and techno-geek Jez (Stuart Townsend) are fast friends in London, pulling off a series of royal scams to finance their dream of building a luxurious home for orphans--of course, it's a selfish cause since they're the orphans. Their newly hired secretary Georgie (played by the delightful Kate Beckinsale) goes along with their con games in the belief that their intentions are good, and when she discovers their selfish motivations... well, let's just say the boys (who are both smitten with the charming medical student Georgie) manage to rise to the occasion and do the right thing. Despite a few clever twists, this frothy plot meanders too much to be very involving, but the three young costars make it all worthwhile. (Futterman had already played Robin Williams's son in The Birdcage and Beckinsale made a strong impression in The Last Days of Disco.) It's one of those featherweight British comedies that's so good-natured you feel Scroogey if you resist it, and director and cowriter Stefan Schwartz has made the movie just smart enough to hold its own against a wall-to-wall soundtrack of kitschy pop songs. If you don't consider "cute" a derogatory term, this movie will offer an agreeable diversion. --Jeff Shannon

From The New Yorker

An amiable but uneven comedy about two attractive swindlers (Stuart Townsend and Dan Futterman) and the mischievous beauty (Kate Beckinsale) who cons them. The film is paced like a breezy sixties romp and there are some good gags, but the plot's a bit creaky and lacks the clever zing of a good scam. The luminous wonder of the film is Beckinsale ("Cold Comfort Farm"); her performance is a true lark. -Bruce Diones
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great comedy!, December 14, 2002

By 

Jason Whited (Las Vegas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shooting Fish (DVD)

This movie is a light-hearted comedy, so don't come into it expecting a master "oeuvre." Take it for what it is. That said, this is one of the best comedies of the past 10 years. The writing is extremely smart, and all three principal actors use their considerable talents to lend real depth to characters, which is quite unusual for comedies, especially American ones, which tend to stick to slapstick or cheap gags. Be aware that this is a Brit flick, so you Americans shouldn't be shocked by the accents, etc. (that does tend to unsettle a portion of American viewers). If you're a thinking person and need a solid belly laugh, you simply could not pick a better light-hearted comedy than Shooting Fish. Dan, Kate, and Stuart are a fantastic ensemble. Do NOT miss this comedy! This movie will most assuredly be appreciated more as time goes by.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "It's Self Self Self with some people!", June 3, 2002

By 

CodeMaster Talon (Orlando, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shooting Fish [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Like frothy, feathery British Comedies? Don't let this little-known gem pass you by. Dan Futterman and Stuart Townsend play Dylan and Jez respectively; two con men who rob from the rich to house the orphans (and they're the orphans). Kate Beckinsdale (not nearly as annoying as usual) plays a med-school student who is unwittingly sucked into their scheme (they need a typist for one of their more inventive cons) but who promptly begins nudging them toward the straight and narrow. Well, almost. As my Dad used to say "If it's for good cause, who cares if it's illegal!", and Dylan and Jez pretty much live by that thought. However, what goes around comes around, and all things catch up with you eventually....
With a smart and funny script, good acting (especially by Futterman) and just plain sweetness , this film charms and pleases for the length of it's hour and a half. Don't hesitate to buy a copy and save it for a rainy day, or when you're just feeling blue. It's sure to cheer you up, and you might just come away with a new appreciation for Burt Bacarach. Anyone know the way to San Jose?

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Charming romantic comedy..., March 22, 2002

By 

"mereth" (Westminster, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shooting Fish [VHS] (VHS Tape)

i picked this movie up because when i glanced at the cover it had three actors i just adore....and when i watched it i was charmed by the characters...most especially Stuart Townsend's Jez...the developing attraction between Georgie (Kate Beckinsale) and Jez is adorable to watch...and the end, although a bit cheesey, is a feel good happy ending....there is enough wit and quiet humor in this movie to keep you watching...