The Fisher King

1/12/2023

My dad and I had this thing we did where we went to see a movie or rented a movie from the time before I could remember to, well, almost until the day he passed away. There was always time to catch a movie, an it's a bit easier because it isn't as weather dependent as playing catch is. My dad took me to see this when I was a kid, and I absolutely hated it, I thought it was a horrible movie. And then, I watched it again when I was in high school and I absolutely loved it. Thought it was an amazing film. And then I showed it to my wife, who pointed out that I was only 11 when dad took me to see it. And now I can see how my attitude about this totally changed. It is really the story about the Fisher King isn't it? At least it's a grail quest to restore the health to someone who

6/2/2024

"Jack Lucas" (Jeff Bridges) is one of those late night radio presenters who loves the sound of his own voice and who enjoys nothing better than to put down, disdainfully, the collection of sad individuals who phone in with their problems. It's one of his casual off-the-cuff remarks that leads to a tragedy and a spiral that sends him into some serious doldrums. Things change for ever one night when he finds himself on the wrong end of a beating and then rescued by an eccentric looking fellow called "Parry" (Robin Williams). This is an erudite and complicated man who is obsessed with the "Fisher King" legend of the Holy Grail. Upon further investigation, "Lucas" learns more of the tragic cause of his new friend's predicament and as much as for his own salvation as for that of "Parry", he emb

4/21/2026

**The Fisher King (1991)** (Re-watching Robin Williams' catalog.) _Directed by Terry Gilliam_ The Arthurian legend of the Fisher King tells of an injured king and a pure-of-heart knight or fool who must heal him. Richard LaGravenese's screenplay is absolutely brilliant because it somehow puts both leads in both roles simultaneously. Jack (Jeff Bridges) is the wounded king, destroyed by guilt after his on-air rant triggers a mass shooting at a Manhattan restaurant. Parry (Robin Williams) is the fool, a homeless man living in fantasy after his wife was killed in that same massacre. But Jack is also the fool who must quest for redemption, and Parry is the wounded king who needs healing. The roles shift, collapse into each other, become mirrors. And of course, the Red Knight, Parry's ha