The Fisher King (1991)

• Information at Internet Movie Database
• Looking Closer, review by Jeffrey Overstreet, "searching for truth, beauty and meaning in the movies."
• Review, Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality & Health - Spiritual Practices for Human Being.
• Themes
  • Call
    • This excellent movie is an exploration of the way in which the central character , a shock-jock radio host, seeks for forgiveness , having unwittingly incited a man to commit a massacre in a restaurant. He meets someone who has suffered a breakdown as a result of witnessing the massacre and tries in all sorts of ways to free himself of his own sense of guilt. The man he has met (played by Robin Williams) is convinced that the DJ has been sent to bring him a silver cup ( actually a sporting trophy ) which he thinks is the Holy Grail. The Robn Williams character repeatedly calls him to this task, but he dismisses it as ridiculous. Finally, though , when Robin Williams falls into a catatonic state, he realises that simply because he needs the 'grail' to get better he will retrieve it. It strikes me as relevant to the theme of 'call' because of the way in which it is circumstance which compels him, eventually, to do something only he can do. The act he is called to is ridiculous, but it is the doing of it which is really important. In fullfilling his 'call' , by doing something out of simple love, he not only heals someone else, but finds the freedom he has been seeking for himself. 
  • Confrontation with Evil
    • As Jack enters the "castle," he meets the spectre of Edwin who climbs up the stairs and shoots at Jack. 
  • Conversion
    • Jack's change in character from a self-absorbed person to one who would go on a "meaningless" quest in order to save another.
  • Death/Grief
    • Parry's grief over his wife's death.
  • Fear
    • Parry's fear of the Red Dragon - scene in front of Lydia's apartment or in front of the mansion where he is being chased by the specter of his wife's death.
  • Friendship
    • The friendship that develops between Jack and Parry. (final scene)
  • Guilt/Regret
    • Jack wants to "just pay the fine and go home" but cannot lose the guilt that way. 
  • Healing/Healers
    • Through their mutual respect, friendship and quest, Jack and Parry are healed.
  • Holy Grail
    • The man [Jack] has met (played by Robin Williams) is convinced that the DJ has been sent to bring him a silver cup ( actually a sporting trophy ) which he thinks is the Holy Grail. The Robn Williams character repeatedly calls him to this task, but he dismisses it as ridiculous . Finally,though , when Robin Williams falls into a catatonic state, he realises that , simply because he needs the 'grail' to get better he will retrieve it. (submitted by Anne Gordon)
  • Interconnectedness
    • Jack's off-hand remarks inspire Edwin to commit the massacre at the restaurant. Jack later is redeemed through a relationship with Parry - the spouse of one of the massacre victims.
  • Overcoming Obstacles
    • Jack's search for the Holy Grail in the mansion.
  • Reconciliation/forgiveness
    • Reconciliation between Jack and Parry.
  • Redemption
    • Jack wants to "pay the fine and go home" after discovering that Parry's wife was killed after Jack made remarks about Yuppies on his radio show. He discovers that redemption is often more difficult
  • Repentance
    • Through his relationship with Parry and Parry's quest, Jack repents from his self-centered lifestyle. (Which was just as self-centered as a "poor" person as it was as a "rich" person.)
  • Saving/Savior
    • Jack and Parry save each other's lives in literal and figurative ways.
  • Servanthood
    • The DJ discovers that it is only when he truly serves the Robin Williams character , by doing what he wants rather than what will make the DJ feel better , that he finds his the peace and forgiveness he needs. (submitted by Anne Gordon)
  • Spiritual Struggle
    • Parry and Jack are each paralyzed from their struggle with the "demons" inside of them - Parry with the Red Dragon symbolizing his wife's death, Jack with the guilt from having been part of the circumstances surrounding that death.
    • "I just want to pay the fine and go home". The character is tired of trying to work out his salvation. (Craig & Jo Jorgensen)

       

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