I'd probably have voted for River Phoenix (although talk about category fraud) And Dean Stockwell/Martin Landau were also terrific in their roles, but Kline is hilarious, and a fine Oscar winner.
Kevin is also the only supporting actor contender from that year's slate who is still with us…

Je really deserved that Oscar in my opinion. I'll remember this hilarious scene with Kevin as Otto
Excellent insult quote from it too.

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He absolutely deserved it. I am shocked he was even nominated, though. It's not the kind of role Oscar rewards.

He's really good in this - funny and sinister all in one go.

Both actors were deserving of the award and technically, Phoenix was the lead male in his.
Norman! What did you put in my tea?

I agree he deserved it. It's just a shame he had to beat out River Phoenix's brilliant performance in Running on Empty.
-Di

By the way, while the four leading actors are superb, it's a shame Maria Aitken's Wendy is often overlooked. She's incredibly funny as John Cleeses wife.
Her sense of timing was impeccable. I loved the way she repeats back Kline (Otto)'s "Mr Man..frenjensenjen" exactly accurately - "My father was in the secret service Mr. Manfrenjensenjen and I know perfectly well that you don't keep the general public informed when you are debriefing KGB defectors in a safe house!"

Hollywood went busy kissing mediocre actors asses such as Penn,Hanks,Freeman,Foxx or Spacey and GREAT, VERSATILE & CHARISMATIC actors such as Kev Kline,Mickey Rourke,Rutger Hauer or Eric Roberts were keep unnoticed, typical!! Kev Kline got one of the most DESERVED Oscars for a supreme performance that the Academy ever gave to an actor.

A Fish Called Wanda kind of sealed my belief in Kevin Kline as a superb versatile actor. Just look at his portrayal of Donald Woods in "Cry Freedom" the previous year, another stellar performance although it's hard to believe its the same actor. Talk about versatility!

I have to agree, it was a superb performance and, at the time, on a very different note from the roles Kevin Kline in his previous movies, such as "Sophie's Choice" and "The Big Chill". What still amazes me is the fact that the film didn't get Best Screenplay and lost out to that mediocre crap, "Rain Man".
By the way, while the four leading actors are superb, it's a shame Maria Aitken's Wendy is often overlooked. She's incredibly funny as John Cleeses wife.

She showed everyone in this movie that she could be taken as a serious actor, not just some "Scream Queen," or comedy jokester.
She proved this 5yrs earlier in
Trading Places
and neither film was serious.
Norman! What did you put in my tea?

Ya, but come on Jamie Lee defiently deserved an Oscar nomination too. She showed everyone in this movie that she could be taken as a serious actor, not just some "Scream Queen," or comedy jokester. Her character was pretty much what the movie was based around. If she could get nominated for a Globe and BAFTA for this, why not throw her in supporting actress at the Oscars. It worked for Kline, should have worked for her. Great acting. But anyway out of everything Kevin deserved the Oscar the most.
Let's Go True Lies 2!

kevin kline was brilliant.

couldn't agree more!

My god, Cleese was hilarious..
Just what are you doing here?
I might ask you the same question!
The intellect of few disguises the stupidity of many.

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I deeply agree.

They are all good, and the oscar rarely goes to an actor in a comedy. Kline was brilliant here, but it's also possible that voters chose him in part because of his many other brilliant performances (Sophie's Choice comes to mind of course it was Meryl Streep's movie, but Kline was perfect to act with her! Not too many men could have held their own opposite her in that film!)and then he goes on and shows his range in this brilliant comedy!

Kevin got the oscar for best supporting actor

very true. mike was awesome lol.

I love Kevin Kline, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Palin, and John Cleese. I think that Kevin deserved his award, but I do think that Palin should have been nominated.
you annoy the piss out of me ::pees with
rage::

eddy i suggest if you didnt like the film not going on the message bored and making it so clear that you disliked the film and not expect to get reactions from people who enjoyed it

I second that, velma. Or what about the time Cleese is breaks into his own house? Or when Palin drops a piano on that womans dog? Or Kline yelled
@$$h01!!!
Thought you might try escapingso I just took the liberty of removing your horse's brain