Main Cast: J.E. Freeman, David Arquette, Brad Hunt, Kathryn Erbe, Cathy Moriarty, Patrick McGaw
Release Year: 1997
Country: US
Run Time: 97 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
A dying man and a man who wants to die strike up an unusual bargain in this independent comedy-drama. Terry (David Arquette) is a suicidal voyeur who is depressed but lacks the courage to kill himself. While trying to work up the nerve to throw himself off a bridge, Terry is stopped by his neighbor Nick (Brad Hunt), who doesn't know that Terry has been watching him have unsatisfying sex with his girlfriend Liz (Kathryn Erbe). Drug-addicted Nick has learned that he has only a few weeks left to live, so he makes Terry a deal: Nick will put Terry out of his misery if Terry will help Nick live out a few of his fantasies before his imminent date with death. Terry agrees, but discovers that Nick's ambitions include bowling naked with a group of loose women, taking a road trip while high on LSD, and committing armed robbery; Terry also discovers while hanging out with Nick that life might not be such a bad thing after all. Cathy Moriarty appears as Nick's Aunt Elsie, a former exotic dancer. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Review
While the initial set-up of the premise in Dream With the Fishes feels a little convenient, the film is ultimately an interesting and satisfying experience. The three principles, David Arquette, Brad Hunt, and Kathryn Erbe, approach their roles with a passion and excitement toward the project that comes through and, in itself, makes the movie watchable. At the points when Finn Taylor's script drops the ball, the cast is always there to catch it and keep going. Despite the sports analogy, it is definitely a quiet and intimate movie. The humor, while largely dealing with death, has a warmth to it, and, even though it maintains its edge throughout and never feels syrupy, the movie's overall mood is compassionate. Dream With the Fishes does ask for the audience's attention and patience at times, but, in return, it offers a pleasurable and unique film. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
Joseph Middleton - Casting, David Arquette - Co-producer, Jeffrey Brown - Co-producer, Laurie A. Miller - Co-producer, Finn Taylor - Director, Rick LeCompte - Editor, Charles Hsiao - Executive Producer, John Sideropoulos - Executive Producer, Charles Raggio - Musical Direction/Supervision, Tito Larriva - Songwriter, Justin McCartney - Production Designer, Barry Stone - Cinematographer, Mitchell Stein - Producer, Johnny Wow - Producer, Finn Taylor - Screenwriter, Nick Drake - Featured Music
This film is Taylor's directorial debut. The film follows Terry, a suicidal voyeur who doesn't seem to be able to kill himself. While preparing for jumping off a bridge, he meets Nick who ends up saving his life. Terry discovers that Nick is terminally ill and doesn't have much time left. Scared by the lack of time, Nick offers Terry a deal he can't refuse: Terry will become the beneficiary of Nick's life insurance or, since money doesn't matter to Terry, Nick promises to kill him before he dies. All Nick asks is Terry's help to realize a few fantasies before dying.
Taylor has claimed that the film is loosely autobiographical. Taylor himself once spent six years traveling around the country with a friend. In one interview, Taylor claimed, "When I was 19, I contemplated suicide and attempted to hold up a drug store."[1] The film debuted at the Sundance Film Festival, and would go on to earn $460,000 in limited release.[2] The film also received a relatively positive reception from critics. Roger Ebert said that the film, "shows some of the signs of unchained ambition."[3] The Los Angeles Times said "of all the towering blockbusters this summer, 'Dream With The Fishes' has more heart than the lot of them.
