Show the Fisher King Andrew Wade Staff Writer he Fisher King details The T the downward spiral and subsequent t redemption of New York shock DJ Jack Lucas Jeff f Bridges Jack is on the cusp of stardom when a tragedy takes place fo for which he feels personally responsible Jack overwhelmed overwhelmed overwhelmed over over- whelmed by guilt leaves his job and through a series of mishaps meets Parry Robin Williams a 1 former professor of medieval history now a member of the homeless multitude Parry exists in a world of make-believe make in order to avoid a past personal personal personal per per- tragedy that happens to coincide with Jacks Jack begins to feel responsible responsible responsible sible for Parry and foresees a way to a atone tone for the past while Parry believes Jack is the chosen one a knight errant who will fulfill Parrys Parry's quest for the Holy Grail which which according according to Parry resides Parry resides in a castle- castle like estate at the center of downtown New York The Fisher King is lost at sea never really navigating a comprehensible course through its plot but neither Jeff Bridges s nor Robin Williams should be beheld be I held accountable Their performances are dable Bridges in his characterization characterization char char- of the angry cynical self-absorbed self Jack is believable and seemingly without redeeming qualities Robin Williams sails effortlessly beyond the material venturing far into Parrys Parry's particular mania which almost certainly concurs concurs concurs con con- curs with Williams own Strange erratic and crazy Williams cuts loose with his signature brand of zaniness Both actors are known celluloid celluloid celluloid cel cel- commodities with various films including the well received The Fabulous Baker Boys Their screen on-screen pairing is inspired and works well with Bridges 4 y r 1 I I w W WL r- r 1 t 4 x r s playing the straight man to Williams Williams' jester In addition the actresses of The Fisher King are first rate Mercedes Ruehl is impressive as Anne Jacks Jack's s tolerant and nurturing girlfriend Amanda Plummer is effective effective effective tive as the bumbling unknowing unknowing unknowing un un- un- un knowing object of Parrys Parry's affection The he lack of this films film's success should not be placed on any of their shoulders but should in in- stead rest squarely on the director Terry Gilliam The Fisher King with its Red Knight quest for the Grail and Robin Williams seems tailor-made tailor for Gil- Gil liam Ham All of this is familiar territory for Gilliam whose previous efforts include Brazil and The Adventures o of f Baron Munchausen r rich i c h with impressive visual detail detail so so much so that story and characters became became became be be- came secondary to stun stun- ning fling sets and special special effects And with the lack of these el elements ments Gilliam become hopelessly lost Although Although Although Al Al- Al- Al though there are a few magical magical magical magi magi- cal moments such as the scene where Parry is following following folloWing follow folloW- ing Anne and and through and through gh Parrys Parry's eyes eyes we we see Grand Central Station become a ballroom with the comm com- com m u towal tz- tz ing partners a few moments and fine actors do not create a fulfilling film |