(1) If you haven't read Michael Palin's diaries (specifically, "Halfway to Hollywood,
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — A Fish Called Wanda
paramitch — 10 years ago(June 01, 2015 06:03 AM)
(1) If you haven't read Michael Palin's diaries (specifically, "Halfway to Hollywood,
covering through 1988), I highly recommend them. He's a thoughtful and eloquent writer who isn't just witty, he's also insightful, moving and very perceptive.
He writes wonderful stuff about the "Wanda" filming all typically very complimentary and gentle Cleese despite being a rather tough Python associate turned out to be a dream of a writer and co-director here.
Palin's perception of JLC is that she's incredibly easy to work with, smart, perceptive and emotional. He occasionally has a hard time with her ups and downs, which he finds almost touchingly vulnerable. His perception of Kline during filming is fascinating Kline is sweet and energetic, but also prone to constant gloom and retakes, yet his brilliance means he's always worth it.
It's fascinating to read about the filming of "Wanda" knowing what we know now from the film's success, and even more poignant when you know that Palin suffered a huge personal loss just weeks before filming, yet was quiet and professional as always. I highly recommend his diaries and travelogues a really interesting person worth learning more about.
Meanwhile:
(2) So I know how goofy this sounds.
But the opening credits especially when you rewatch the movie (which, hello, it's awesome, and even better more than once) are all basically this gorgeous loving view of Ken's beautiful fish tank, and of the lovely and delicate fish that live there. The footage is so beautiful and charming that I always feel a little bad when watching knowing the outcome.
It's totally idiotic, but the camera work is so playful and cute, and we really see so many gorgeous adorable fish in Ken's tank (even dancing to the opening music) that it's hard to think about what happens to them. I do love animals and while I'm not at vegan levels, watching the beautiful delicate fish in the beginning, knowing their fates is kind of sad.
(3) Palin was the one who came up with the idea of Otto covered in cement and showing up in the airplane window while they were tinkering with the edits (it was an extra/reshoot). He also notes Cleese worrying about the morality of the main character right through the reshoots an issue which is resolved by Archie pledging renewed love in relief, then his wife dumps him (so he is now free to be with Wanda).
Cheers!I keep thinking I'm a grownup, but I'm not. -
paramitch — 9 years ago(April 18, 2016 07:58 PM)
Yes, it's "Halfway to Hollywood."
And I wouldn't agree that it's "barely." He discusses the preparation and filming of AFCW in some depth I'd say it's several very interesting pages, at least. He also talks a lot about its reception afterward (which was a total pleasant surprise to all of them).I keep thinking I'm a grownup, but I'm not.