Dead Fish (2005)

Dead Fish Poster

Gary Oldman is Lynch, a strangely charming hit man in this explosively funny dark comedy in the tradition of Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. With an all-star cast including Terence Stamp, Elena Anaya, Robert Carlyle and Billy Zane, Dead Fish is a chaotic tale of criminals looking for love, money and revenge that will have you falling out of your chair laughing!

Plot
"Dead Fish" is a 2005 crime-comedy-thriller film directed by Charley Stadler, with a multi-storred plot that intertwines a number of lives in a chaotic and comedic fashion. Embed in London and featuring a mainly worldwide cast, the story largely revolves around the misadventures of Abe, a hapless American locksmith captured up in a dangerous plan.

Main Characters
The main character, Abe, portrayed by Billy Zane, is going to England for a locksmith professional convention. His life takes a wild turn when he wrongly gets a call planned for a hit man, who is likewise called Abe, played by Robert Carlyle. The other major characters include Mimi (Elena Anaya), a pregnant female looking for revenge against her ex-boyfriend, and Danny Devine (Gary Oldman), a vicious mob boss with a fondness for singing.

Storyline
After working on Mimi's lock, Abe gets a call that leads him to a bank heist supervised by Devine. Confusing him for the killer, the criminals provide him a brief-case filled with money. Meanwhile, the genuine hitman Abe is contacted by Mimi, who employs him to eliminate her ex-boyfriend, believing him to be just a locksmith.

Intersecting Lives and Twisted Events
The film spirals into a series of wild chases, unintentional killings, and confounding mix-ups, developing a network of interwoven fates. Mimi's scenario goes awry as her ex-boyfriend winds up being a part of Devine's gang. Both Abes unconsciously remain in the same hotel, causing funny confusion. The gangsters pursuing the locksmith Abe converge with Mimi's desire for vengeance, ultimately intertwining with the underworld dynamics led by Danny Devine.

Climax and Conclusion
The climax sees a culmination of all these linked stories in an extreme standoff, where all secrets are revealed amidst gunshots and chaos. The film culminates in an unpredictable way, leaving not simply characters but likewise the audience on the edge. With a surprise conclusion, "Dead Fish" finishes up leaving a trail of dark humour, action and complex relationships.

General Film Reception
"Dead Fish" is an eclectic mix of dark comedy and crime-thriller, identified by many plot twists and an exceptional worldwide ensemble cast. The film was well-received for its distinct mix of categories, deft handling of complex narrative structures and interesting efficiencies by lead actors, especially Zane, Carlyle, and Oldman. However, its crazy speed and typically complicated plot could show either appealing or off-putting, depending upon the viewer. Informed with a zany sense of humour, "Dead Fish" is a wild, unforeseeable trip that stands out in its genre.

Top Cast

  • Gary Oldman (small)
    Gary Oldman
    Lynch
  • Robert Carlyle (small)
    Robert Carlyle
    Danny Devine
  • Anouska Bolton Lee
    French Prostitute (as Anoushka Bolton Lee)
  • Cassandra Bell (small)
    Cassandra Bell
    Sugar Waters
  • John Pearson
    Deck Day
  • Kevin McNally (small)
    Kevin McNally
    Frank Rosenheim (as Kevin R. McNally)
  • Elena Anaya (small)
    Elena Anaya
    Mimi
  • Andrew-Lee Potts (small)
    Andrew-Lee Potts
    Abe Klein (as Andrew-Lee Potts)
  • Iddo Goldberg (small)
    Iddo Goldberg
    Thief
  • Julie Healy
    Rainbow
  • Jimi Mistry (small)
    Jimi Mistry
    Salvador E. Johnson