Okay, picture this: the late 90s video store shelf, crammed with predictable blockbusters and maybe a few too many direct-to-video actioners. Then, your eyes land on a quirky cover, maybe featuring some smartly dressed young folks and an intriguing, slightly daft title: Shooting Fish. You take a punt, slide that tape into the VCR, and suddenly you're whisked away into one of the most effortlessly charming British caper comedies of the decade. It wasn't a film that screamed for attention, but boy, did it deliver a warm, witty hug of entertainment.
### Orphans on a Mission
Shooting Fish (1997) plunges us into the lives of Dylan (Dan Futterman) and Jez (Stuart Townsend), two wildly different but equally ambitious orphans raised together. Dylan, an American tech whiz with a tragic past (and a penchant for hilariously specific phobias), is the brains. Jez, a smooth-talking Brit with impossibly floppy hair, provides the charm and the front. Their shared goal? To amass £1 million – the precise amount needed to buy a sprawling country estate they dreamed of as kids. Their method? A series of ingenious, often tech-aided scams targeting the pompous and wealthy, justifying their actions with a Robin Hood-esque flair, albeit with a distinctly selfish end goal.
Their meticulously planned operation hits a delightful snag with the arrival of Georgie (Kate Beckinsale), a bright medical student moonlighting as a typist. Hired to transcribe their "brilliant invention" ideas (actually coded details of their cons), she quickly becomes entangled in their schemes and, inevitably, their lives. What unfolds is less a hard-boiled crime story and more a fizzy cocktail of romance, comedy, and feel-good adventure, fizzing with distinctly British eccentricity.
### A Trio That Sparkles
The absolute heart of Shooting Fish lies in its central trio. Dan Futterman, who many might recognize from his later Oscar-nominated screenwriting work (Capote, Foxcatcher), brings a wonderful vulnerability and nerdy intensity to Dylan. His anxieties and meticulous planning ground the film's more fanciful elements. Opposite him, Stuart Townsend, in one of his breakout roles before hitting bigger Hollywood projects like Queen of the Damned (2002), is pure charismatic energy. He perfectly embodies the charming rogue archetype, making Jez instantly likeable even when he's bending the law.
And then there's Kate Beckinsale. This was before the Underworld franchise transformed her into an action icon; here, she’s utterly luminous as Georgie. Smart, resourceful, and possessing a warmth that melts through the boys' defenses, Beckinsale demonstrates the comedic timing and screen presence that hinted at the major star she would become. She even learned British Sign Language for certain scenes, adding another layer to her engaging performance. The chemistry between the three leads is palpable and infectious, making you genuinely root for their unconventional dynamic.
### Crafting Charm on a Budget ("Retro Fun Facts")
Directed and co-written by Stefan Schwartz (along with Richard Holmes), Shooting Fish feels like a labour of love, reportedly taking Schwartz years to bring to the screen after initially conceiving a darker version. Made for a relatively modest budget (around £2-3 million), it punches well above its weight, largely thanks to its clever script and vibrant performances. You can feel the indie spirit – the resourcefulness mirrors that of its protagonists. It’s packed with witty dialogue and inventive scams, like the gas company con involving pre-recorded messages and split-second timing, that feel perfectly pitched for the era – clever, but not impossibly slick in a pre-digital-everything world.
The film captures a specific slice of London, favouring colourful, slightly lived-in locations over glossy landmarks, adding to its grounded charm. While it didn't set the international box office alight, it was a respectable hit in the UK, tapping into that national appetite for quirky, optimistic comedies that flourished in the wake of films like Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994). It's a reminder that sometimes, a strong concept and engaging characters are worth more than a blockbuster budget. Did you know the original idea was much grimmer? Thank goodness they leaned into the light!
### That Irresistible Late-90s Vibe
Watching Shooting Fish today is like opening a time capsule to late 90s British indie cinema. There's an optimism, a certain lightness of touch, even when dealing with themes of loss and aspiration. The pacing is brisk, the soundtrack is upbeat, and the overall feeling is one of sheer, unadulterated fun. It doesn't take itself too seriously, allowing the audience to simply enjoy the ride.
Sure, you could pick holes in the plot if you wanted to – some of the schemes rely on a hefty dose of luck, and the resolution ties things up perhaps a little too neatly. But honestly? That hardly matters. The film isn't aiming for gritty realism; it's aiming for enchantment, for that feeling of getting swept up in a slightly improbable adventure with characters you genuinely come to care about. It understands that sometimes, the journey (and the company) is more important than the logistical feasibility of conning millionaires with fake answering machine tapes. We all secretly wished we could pull off scams that clever and charming back then, didn't we?
### Final Verdict: A Hidden Gem Worth Rediscovering
Shooting Fish is pure, unadulterated comfort viewing. It's witty, romantic, and possesses an infectious energy driven by its fantastic lead cast. It captures that specific blend of quirky British humour and heartfelt romance that felt so fresh and appealing in the late 90s. While perhaps lacking the iconic status of some contemporaries, its charm has aged remarkably well. It’s the kind of movie you stumble upon and wonder why more people don't talk about it.
Rating: 8/10
This score reflects the film's undeniable charm, fantastic lead performances, witty script, and overall feel-good factor. It's not a flawless masterpiece – the plot has its conveniences – but it achieves exactly what it sets out to do: entertain and warm the heart. It's a perfect example of a delightful, well-crafted indie comedy that shines brightly.
So, if you spot this one gathering dust (perhaps even on an old VHS tape!), give it a spin. Shooting Fish is a sparkling little caper that reminds you just how much fun finding those slightly forgotten gems can be. A true catch from the 90s video store ocean!