Kettle of Fish (2006) User Reviews

Fine with your pizza, a glass of wine, and a date....

[intelearts · 6/10 · 20 February 2007]

Kettle of Fish is for those who like their romantic comedies to seem sophisticated while sipping a glass of wine, but secretly want to be eating pizza, and unwinding after a long week. Nothing too demanding, just flows according to the the rules of the genre: jazz musician, non-committal bachelor type, leases his flat to English research repressed but stunning woman, sparks fly, musician tries other relationships but gradually realizes what's going on.... (It that counts as a spoiler you're probably watching the wrong kind of film...)

Matthew Modine is good as the bachelor fast approaching his sell-by date - he exudes a kind of laid-back charm that works well. Gina Gershon is too British in places - honestly, her accent makes "A Brief Encounter" sound like low down cockney by comparison, if you can forgive it and just treat it as OTT primness then a good time is to be had by all. The fish has real potential, and will no doubt get work. As will the frog. Iguana not so sure about.

While utterly predictable in its ending as befits its romantic nature, it is surprisingly good in its conversations and silly enough in the chase to have a kookie charm of it's own.

Smooth sounds, and fun. My wife and I found this very good in places (Esppecially the conversations the male characters had with each other), but felt the distractions in the plot were trying too hard to be funny peculiar, rather than funny ha-ha. Overall, though, very pleasant and a good warm romantic movie.

We liked it - but we would want the laughs to be tones down and the conversations to be tighter to really love it - worth a rental...

kettle of fish review...

[golfproonly1976 · 5/10 · 22 January 2009]

the movie is fine for what it is......everybody has different tastes... the old saying is one man's bread is another man's poison...i like gershon very much.. and modine is fine as well.... i am a big movie buff and i have been for almost 50 years...every movie cannot be a gone with the wind or Casablanca.... and there are poor movies out there for sure.. but this movie entertained me because i was not looking for anything like a classic... now.. i admit i saw this film by accident on cable.. so i did not pay for it but still i think the movie has some redeeming qualities and there are some people that would really enjoy it....the movie is set as a light romantic comedy and it does fit that.. One additional comment i must make after reading all the negative comments as well as the positive ones is i have my opinion on the film and so does everyone else... no one's opinion is any more valid than someone else... my best friend loves sushi... i can't stand it.. does that mean there is something wrong with my taste buds... no it does not... so there are people who like this film and there are some who do not.. i will hold to my opinion but if you do not like it hey different stokes for different folks, watch it and form your own opinion..........

Formulaic

[andyhumm · 2/10 · 20 June 2008]

I'm a fan of Matthew Modine, but this film--which I stumbled upon on cable--is absolutely witless. I see that the screenwriter and director were one and the same, so there was no one around to check her worst instincts. There are no surprises, no original lines, and no original characters. The goldfish was basically the most sympathetic character. What a waste of all this acting talent. Given how expensive it is to film in New York these days, I have to wonder how this got made in the first place. And if you're wondering why I watched it at all, it came on after a film that I like on cable and I left it on while I worked at the computer. It's not a very demanding picture!

awful

[jAustin-3 · 1/10 · 4 May 2006]

I just saw this film last night in the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival and it seriously makes me wonder if the folks at the festival actually screen the films before selecting them. The film was simply awful - I say that without hyperbole or ulterior motives - it was awful. Matthew Modine's days as a leading man are way over. Gina Gershon sported an inexplicable and unnecessary English accent - she should be ashamed of her participation in this film. Gloria Reuben had a weird little cameo in it - she should also be ashamed. The script was terrible and the we were given absolutely no reason to care about the characters. I highly doubt this will be picked up, but then again, people in Hollywood are known to make mistakes sometimes. I really think "Kettle of Fish" is a serious contender for the worst movie I've ever seen.

Throw the fish back

[l_brennan1979 · 1/10 · 8 March 2009]

This is one of those movies that appears on cable at like two in the afternoon to entertain bored housewives while they iron. The acting is second rate. Poor Mathew Modine seems to sleepwalk through the whole film. And god help Gina Gershon. Her accent is too over the top. It sounds nothing like an true English woman. It sounds forced and phony, much like her acting. She should stick to what she does best, lesbian showgirl con-artist who plays in a rock & roll band and has a drug problem. The other characters are no better. They are two dimensional. empty, vapid and silly. How are we to supposed to care about these people. At one point Christy Scott Cashman get's lost in Central Park. Really? It's not that hard to navigate Central Park. Just follow any path out. Not only did I not care about ANY of the characters,I downright hated them. The only reason I even stayed with this train-wreck of a film was Fisher Stevens. Even his brilliant humor couldn't save this dying Fish. Each scene is typical romantic comedy fare and nothing is left to surprise us. The script was awful as was the acting. If you catch this Fish throw it back!

Good

[manitobaman81 · 7/10 · 22 August 2014]

A lifelong bachelor confronts his intimacy issues when he sublets his apartment to a fetching biologist. His heartsick fish and his wise best buddy are on hand to provide perspective. The metaphors in this movie are abundant, and so are the good moments. Are there annoying things in this movie? Yes, like the overdone characters and such. But the movie has enough to keep you entertained. From an artistic standpoint, there were some plot elements and character developments I didn't think were really needed. This is the kind of film that tries to prove that a small story can be much more meaningful than a larger one. Overall rating: 7/10.

Bad bad bad

[snethet · 1/10 · 9 April 2007]

For the life of me I can't understand the good reviews on this piece of crap. It was pointless. Matthew Modine was horribly miscast as a leading ladies man. Gina Gershon, well, others have said it, but I'll reiterate, why the stupid accent? Totally unnecessary. And her acting was just bad. I don't know if she was thrown by the accent, or what. There was no chemistry between these two.

And the girl Modine was in love with, suddenly she's shoving half a head of lettuce in her mouth and acting in a goofy way? Where did that come from? I think we were supposed to feel sorry for her as we saw her marriage to a workaholic begin to crumble, but frankly, I couldn't care less about any of these people.

Fishing for a good flick, romcom fans? Pop some kettle corn and enjoy this one!

[inkblot11 · 7/10 · 9 April 2008]

Mel (Matthew Modine) is an aging jazz musician in New York City. He is a "player" in the world of romance, too, zigzagging from one pretty female to another, but always coming home alone to his goldfish, Daphne. Yet, he is very aware that he is "not getting any younger" and that it is time for him to commit to someone. As such, Mel decides to move in with a pretty thing and sublet his apartment. His new renter is Ginger (Gina Gershon), a bespectacled British biologist, who has arrived in the Big Apple to study amphibians. But, unhappily for Mel, his relationship skills are so bad that his girlfriend soon kicks him out and he needs his old apartment back NOW. Ginger soon points out that a contract is present and that she needs time to find another set of digs. So, they decide to share the place, with Ginger getting the bedroom and Mel residing in the living room. There is a definite atmosphere of dislike brewing between the two of them. Then, too, Mel has a crush on a newlywed woman, Diana (Christy Scott Cashman) who he met on the ferry to one of his gigs. He even takes a job as an elevator man in her building so that he can get closer to her. But, as she is married to a very rich gentleman (Fisher Stevens) it appears unlikely that she will return Mel's affections. Where will the course of true love run? This is truly a nice little film for those fans of romantic comedy. First, the cast is quite nice, with Modine giving a wonderfully nuanced performance as the misguided musician in search of life's purpose. Stevens, too, is very funny as the self-absorbed husband while Cashman scores big points as the beautiful but empty-headed bride. As for Gershon, she shines brightly, in a role that runs counter-clockwise to many of the racier parts in her previous films. With a nice British accent and her beauty semi-hidden under her glasses, she easily gives one of her best performances ever. All of the niceties of film-making, such as good costuming, attractive settings and fine camera work, are present. Congratulations, also, to the imaginative script and the confident direction of one Claudia Myers. In brief, if you are fishing for a new flick in the world of romcom entertainment, you would be well advised to "catch" this one. Grab it at the nearest video outlet, pop some kettle corn in the micro, and kick off your shoes for a nice little watch.

Looking for romance?...comedy?...Keep looking.

[jesmale · 1/10 · 5 September 2007]

Let's face it, romantic comedies are considered lightweight when compared with dramatic movies (just look at the Academy Award nominations each year). But still, the good ones are truly an art form. Look at "When Harry Met Sally", "Sleepless In Seattle", and classics like "Roman Holiday" and "It Happened One Night". I like the good feeling of seeing two people destined to find happiness.

This movie attempts to construct something that resembles a romantic comedy. But no one believes the romance between the main characters, and there is nothing funny to make up for that major shortcoming. Modine is way past being a leading man - especially a romantic lead. I'm sure as Executive Producer, he had the means - but not the good sense - to cast himself. And Gershon...I see possibilities of some comedic talent, but she had no script and a poorly developed character. And whose idea was the English accent? Pointless.

Others have stated it, but I want to repeat: this story is poorly conceived, poorly executed; the actors are terribly miscast; and the characters, well, we just don't give a hoot about them.

An art form this ain't. Go rent "Moonstruck" again.

fantastic!

[rob-1536 · 9/10 · 29 May 2006]

I couldn't disagree more with the reviewer above who said this film was awful. I recently saw it at the Reel Blues Festival in Chatam, MA and I have to say... having no idea at all what to expect, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I really did enjoy it. Matthew Modine was excellent and Gina Gershon was very funny. Also, there is a hilarious "strip dance" scene with adorable Christy Cashman that I found to be one of the funniest and most memorable parts of the film. The thing I liked most about the movie was the way it established a certain "mood." It was very well done. There is an almost dark, melancholy mood to the entire film, accented by the use of New York jazz throughout. It is very different than one might expect to see in a "romantic comedy" and that's the reason this film stands out. I think the film makers have tremendous potential and I look forward to more from them in the future. Good work!

I would have loved to have been in the room when they were editing this together

[MBunge · 3/10 · 1 July 2011]

Kettle of Fish is a romantic-comedy that contains neither romance nor comedy. By no romance, I mean the lead characters and their various paramours have the same sexual chemistry as Spam and grape juice. By no comedy, I mean it's at least 40 minutes into the film before there's even a vague, unsuccessful attempt at humor. This is the sort of movie where you start to wonder when exactly the people involved in making it realized what a leaden fiasco it was. I can't imagine anyone reading this script and thinking it deserved to make it onto the screen, but surely somebody must have figured out what a mistake they were making before they were halfway finished shooting. What must it have been like to spend hours and hours editing this thing only to finally realize no matter how you tried to cut and splice it, Kettle of Fish was never going to be more than a piece of crap?

Mel (Matthew Modine) is a professional musician who normally plays the saxophone in a jazz band headed up by his friend Freddie (Isiah Whitlock Jr.). Mel is 40somthing and looks it, particularly around his saggy neck, but still manages to land a bevy of beauties because in this film's reality, there's nothing chicks dig more than middle-aged jazz men who still live like poor college students. As the story begins, Mel is having a mid-life crisis and impetuously decides to move in with Inga (Ewa Da Cruz), his 20something Swedish girlfriend. Mel sublets his apartment to Dr. Ginger Thomas (Gina Gershon), an English scientist who researches the reproductive patterns of frogs. Inga quickly kicks Mel out for being a douchebag, so he weasels his way back into his old apartment and splits the rent with Ginger until she can find her own place.

Mel then becomes smitten with Diana (Christy Scott Cashman), a woman he meets on her wedding day, and becomes so fixated on her that he abandons his music career to be the elevator operator in Diana's building so he can see her for a few minutes each day. This movie treats that behavior as wistfully charming. In real life, it would qualify as deranged stalking.

As I'm sure you can guess, Mel chases after Diana while he and Ginger fall in love without either of them admitting it to themselves. What passes for clever in this screenplay is that Mel and Ginger bond over Mel's pet fish. It's only when Diana is so neglected by her husband (Fisher Stevens) that she throws herself at Mel that he realizes his feelings for Ginger and blah, blah, blah. There isn't a single original plot development in this entire movie, so if you've seen one romantic-comedy then you know exactly how this one goes.

What's most noticeable about Kettle of Fish is how Matthew Modine has absolutely no emotional connection to any of the actresses in the cast. It's almost like they all did their own roles in separate rooms and were then combined on screen via computer. The only believable relationship in the entire film is between Mel and Freddie, but that's of little use since this isn't about Mel coming to grips with his latent homosexuality. I mean, I've always found Modine to be a diffident performer but he might as well be a cigar store Indian for all the attachment he shows to either Ewa Da Cruz, Christy Scott Cashman or Gina Gershon.

Not that Da Cruz, Cashman or Gershon are any better. Inga is less like a woman in love and more like a woman with a learning disability. Diana reacts to both Mel and her husband like she were heavily medicated. When the plot needs to kill time by having Ginger trifle with the affection of a fellow research scientist (James O'Connor), Gershon gives it the same level of feeling as if she were testing the pH level in her swimming pool.

Gershon's lips are also constantly parted in this film like her teeth were trying to escape from her jaw. Even when her mouth is supposed to be closed, there's a gap in the middle as though she can't unpucker. You don't notice it right away. When you do, though, you can't stop looking at it.

When I was finished watching Kettle of Fish, I clicked over to the behind-the-scenes feature on the DVD. I only needed to look at it for 25 seconds before knowing everything there is to know about this film. Writer/director Claudia Myers says this was the first script she wrote in film school and it was inspired by movies where people fall in love at first sight. In other words, she didn't know what the hell she was doing when she wrote it and it's not based on anything real or meaningful from her own life.

This is one of those rom-coms where the plot is arduously predictable and the actors look like they'd rather be doing commercials for acne medication. Skip it.

I only cared for the fish.

[whoffleck · 1/10 · 5 October 2006]

This movie was supposed to have depicted a 'ladie's man' bachelor who was ready and willing to settle down once and for all. However, I did not care for his mission to settle down, because I didn't care for his character. I don't understand what all of these beautiful women saw in him. He had absolutely no class, or charisma. He should've at least had a way about himself that made ladies weak in the knees other than his saxophone playing, but to no avail. Just because he is a musician does not make him sexy. Not to mention, the things he did to get the attention of a married woman he fell in love in a span of five minutes of knowing her were absolutely outrageous and ridiculous. Does this man have any shame what-so-ever? Had he tidied up, and stopped doing and saying stupid things he would have been more attractive as a character, but alas, his character was bland and boring.

Gina Gershon's character was unnecessarily British. She could've just as easily been an uptight out-of-towner with her regular speaking voice than do a poor British accent that sometimes would fade through out the movie.

The only two characters I cared for were the fish and frog. Now those two had chemistry! Academy nominations for both… STAT! Plot holes, lack of character development, horrible acting, unnecessary drama, cliché moments... What a mess of a movie.

Don't waste your money!

[smash_looser · 1/10 · 6 December 2007]

Worst movie ever made!!! Please see the Real movie reviews from the pros on this movie.Check Rotten Tomatoes on the web for some good independent reviews on this film. The comments made on this site are apparently from folks with some financial interest in this film. I find the positive comments very misleading. I find it amazing how the negative comments are so bad against this movie and the positive comments sound like an Academy Awards Speech. Don't waste your hard earned money!!!!!! This Film is retarded!! I can't believe a film like this would ever be made. Why would Hollywood waste their time on such junk? This film is an attempt at nothing. I ask myself what looser would actually sink their money producing such trash. I went to blockbuster and the attendant even told us not to waste our time or money. I didn't listen and I did waste my time and cash. Please don't make the same mistake! It really is the "Worst movie ever made!"

Embarrassing to watch this turkey

[arthousefilms-68-939717 · 1/10 · 11 April 2020]

This film was awkward and embarrassing to watch. Every scene, every character motivation, every action, and every plot point was awkwardly played and terribly directed.

************** SPOILERS ************* SPOILERS *******************

Poor Gina Gershon. She is adorable and a good actress. But they saddled her with this hokey "English" accent that she could not pull off and it takes you out of every scene she is in the moment she opens her mouth. It had the effect of keeping us at arm's length from the character. She actually is a good actress, but she is terrible in this film by being forced into the accent. The crazy thing is, the accent had zero point in the story. It's filmed in NY. She could have just spoken American English. There is one line about "our visiting scientist" to account for the fact that she has a so-called British accent, but it did little to make us believe she was really from the UK.

The accent also had me thinking throughout the movie, that she really was American and was lying about being British for some reason that would be revealed. But no. It was just a terrible, fluctuating accent.

Matthew Modine had no business being a leading man in this film. He was more suited to being a guy buddy of a lead man. He just couldn't carry it.

The whole bit of him falling head over heels with a married woman and then stalking her.... well... it was just plain creepy and unbecoming. Yuck.

And then when he does a switcheroo at the end and goes for Ginger, it felt yucky, as if he was so desperate, he had to take the next best thing. And Ginger rightly called him out on it. It was absolutely not plausible that he could be in love with her so fast. Side note, why is Ginger named that when she looks Italian and has dark hair?

The scene with them crawling on the floor looking for the frog was cringe-worthy and felt like it was from a Jerry Lewis movie.

Why was Matthew Modine handcuffed to the bed in the very opening scene? It had nothing to do with anything. Speaking of unrelated elements, why is the film called "Kettle of Fish" when it had zero to do with anything in the movie. "Kettle of fish" implies there is more than one. So I kept thinking there were going to be more fish. But no. It was just a single gold fish in a bowl.

When the married woman does a "sexy" dance for Matthew to seduce him, it was so dreadful that I was literally embarrassed for the actress that she had to do that dance.

Gina Gershon is smolderingly sexy as an actress, and it was all wasted in this film, as she was reduced to a jokey fake Brit with zero charm, charisma, or believability. And if the part was not meant to be sexy, that's fine. But why make her character into a cardboard clown. She could have been real and had real heart.

When she is supposedly on a date with the other scientist from work, nothing about that scene, not one single thing, felt real or compelling or funny or anything. The scene felt about as engaging as watching a some previously spilled popcorn on the movie theater floor.

Rom-com's are my favorite genre. That's way I was so put off by this drivel. But to be fair, I had just watched "Jerry McGuire" the day before. I guess that kind of set the bar pretty high. But I have enjoyed countless other low budget rom-coms at the level of Kettle of Fish. The difference is, writing talent, director talent, and believable casting. Now if you will excuse me, I gotta go take a shower to wash off all that creepy stalking from the elevator scenes.

Duller than a gray sky

[jmariani-59799 · 3/10 · 20 January 2022]

Don't waste your time with this one. Modine is not leading man material, his character isn't even likable. He's flat and boring, as is the leading female, Goshon. In fact, a massively underdeveloped storyline makes the entire movie a complete bore. I gave it my best shot by making it to the end, but it really never took off or landed well. If you like what is considered a rom-com (this movie is neither romantic nor funny), go elsewhere.

so much fun!

[pmordacq · 9/10 · 9 July 2006]

I really liked the movie! Though its my wife who dragged me to see it -well, it's a romantic comedy- , I had a great time. The movie is clearly an excellent romantic comedy but I felt it was also much more and spoke a lot to guys issues, such as moving together, who's the right girl and how to make a move towards her. Its very funny and packed with some great lines. I loved the jazzy music, which works with the rhythm of the movie quite well. Gina Gershon is very sexy, but in a new way that suits her well. I had never seen C. Cashman on screen but her dance number is something I'll remember. I also liked to see the guy from American pie and an ex bond girl... Go see it.

Wonderful film...

[andy-o-miller · 9/10 · 14 September 2006]

...with a wonderful, mellow, moody, sophisticated atmosphere and a fine sense of timing, comedy, jazz, and film history. Modine and Gershon - not a combo I'd ever have expected to see together - have a great thing going, and Myers lets them have groove together. C Cashman's stripper scene is one of the funniest I have seen in a movie this year.

Like some of the previous posters, I really disagree with the single negative - but vague - comment at the top of this site. Modine and Gershon were brave to take on roles in a small film with an inexperienced director like Myers, but the results are admirable - a meditation and adventure on frogs, jazz, science, nerds, and love. How could anyone resist?

I would recommend this intelligent, hilarious movie to anyone who likes good, clean film fun - hopefully it will transcend its Manhattan-cool vibe and find broad success.

A sweet romantic comedy with real laughs

[Margo750 · 9/10 · 29 September 2006]

Kettle of Fish is the story of Mel, an aging Lothario (Matthew Modine), whose primary emotional attachment is with his fish Daphne, but who is shaken out of his complacency by the arrival of Ginger, a tightly-wound British amphibian biologist played by Gina Gershon. In time-honored romantic comedy style, Mel rents his apartment to Ginger, then is forced to move back in with her, to the discomfort of both. At the same time, Mel falls hard for a bride (Christy Cashman) on her wedding day and goes to crazy lengths to pursue the relationship. The director keeps a light touch throughout, and invests some fairly stock romantic situations with a sense of surprise. Really a mainstream romantic comedy on an indie budget, I thought Kettle was more satisfying and a lot funnier than the usual Hollywood fare. After a little bit of a slow start, the second half of the movie really starts hopping, and there are some genuine laugh-out-loud moments towards the end, particularly in one of the most awkward seduction scenes I've seen in a while. Great date movie.

Definitely worth the ticket price

[djones215 · 9/10 · 13 September 2006]

I saw it at the Tribeca film festival and I was impressed. "Kettle of Fish" delivers everything you would want from a romantic comedy: a good story, some big laughs and (after a few twists and turns along the way) the happy ending. The thing that makes this film better than most romantic comedies is its original script, its steady pace and a great performance by Matthew Modine. I would have liked to have seen more of Isiah Whitlock Jr. (State Sen. R. Clayton 'Clay' Davis from "The Wire"), but otherwise I have very little to quibble about with this movie. "Kettle of Fish" would make a good choice for a first date movie.

A solid double play

[swasher2 · 8/10 · 23 December 2007]

Matthew Modine and Gina Gershon do have chemistry in this pleasant romantic comedy. They both look fantastic as well. My favorite moment happens during Modine's pursuit of the unattainable female, offering a surprising twist that sets this Lothario on a reverse course that we have been rooting for the whole time.

After pondering this for too long a time, I have to say it made no sense for Ms. Gershon to take on the English accent. She does it better than Costner did in Robin Hood, but that's not saying much. With no reference to England, without even a nod to different customs that might affect the courtship, what purpose did it serve?

Still, the movie looks great, the small supporting cast is excellent, the script (complete with Gershon's charming improvised asides) is tight and well-constructed with both cinematography and soundtrack offering appropriate support to the lightness of the themes. Overall it has a nice style that grows on you.

Here's to writer-director Claudia Myers who has crafted, if not a home run, a solid double play.

A genuinely enjoyable film to watch!

[croutstar · 9/10 · 24 October 2006]

I too first saw this film at the Tribeca Film festival on the opening night which was sold out in a 900+ seat theatre!! I had no expectations of the film but got completely caught up (as did the rest of the audience) as soon as the credits started to roll. First of all, Matthew Modine is great in anything he does and this was no exception. After seeing him play some psychos and some intense roles, this was a refreshing departure where Modine was able to show off his comedic abilities. The supporting cast was stellar - especially Fisher Stevens and Isiah Whitlock. I'm just so tired of all the jaded rhetoric in entertainment - this film was light, fun, funny, had moments of almost innocence - a film a whole family could watch together. It steers away from foul language, anything risqué and at its core is about a handful of people earnestly looking for true love. Albeit they make some mistakes, but some of them actually get there.

A different breed of romantic comedy . . . highly recommended

[bbousquet1 · 9/10 · 15 September 2006]

I found this to be a wonderful little debut feature from a writer/director I suspect we will be hearing a lot more about in the years to come. The script attempts to tackle some rather weighty issues, but without compromising the admittedly comedic aspects of attempting to fathom one's own innermost desires. There is something of an existential undercurrent that permeates the story, yielding more than what's typically found in today's boilerplate, "feel good" romantic comedies. I suspect this is what accounts for the participation of some of the cast's more recognizable names. Myers brings out a truly impressive performance from unknown actress Christy Cashman, who all but steals the show in her supporting role. I actually saw this premier at the Tribeca Film Festival, so I had the benefit of hearing the director field questions from the audience and explain what she was attempting to achieve in the storyline. At times the dialogue betrays a profoundness that the casualness of the delivery might not make immediately apparent. In this way I would describe the writing as being somewhat ambitious, but it definitely works. I would not be surprised to see this one get picked-up in the theaters. Highly recommended viewing for the more philosophically inclined.

Pay no attention to that rating behind the curtain . . .

[charlytully · 8/10 · 12 April 2009]

From my rating of "8" out of 10, it's obvious I thought this film was worth my (and most other people's) time. Generally, the same can be said of any movie scored above 5.0. This movie's rating probably suffers significantly because 1)not enough people are seeing it, 2)the proportion of women seeing it and voting at IMDb is not high enough, and 3)statistics often are senseless. To illustrate the latter point, an individual named George Walker Bush actually set a Gallup poll record of 91 per cent job approval as U.S. president, topping the COMBINED high points of Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln--both of whom are where "W" will never go: the top of Mt. Rushmore. Yet this same Bush set an all-time low of 11 per cent shortly thereafter. Conclusion: most polling is a big humbug. IMDb can be especially so, and you do not need to look further than the User Rating detail page for KETTLE OF FISH to prove it. In the demographic breakdown (as of this writing, of course), IMDb says TWO females under 18 voted, and their scores averaged out to "9.4!" Clearly, this is impossible; the scenario yielding the closest outcome to this "average" would be one of the two voted the movie a "10" and the other one clicked on "9," but THIS results in a 9.5 average! Perhaps IMDb has an electronic system sophisticated enough to count hanging chads--I mean, clicks? No, I don't think so. To sum up, if you're a male under 18 (the one who has voted so far has an average rating of "1," which seems plausible enough), and want car chases, boobs, gun fights, boobs, slit throats, boobs, zombies, and boobs in your flicks, DO NOT RENT this movie! On the other hand, if you're older and\or female, and appreciate a well-written script, believable but quirky characters, and original jazz (heavy on the sax), give KETTLE OF FISH a chance.

Less is so much more.

[jazzstyle · 9/10 · 10 September 2023]

I like quirky, honest, and I love jazz. Claudia Myers's story is just different enough to pique my interest, and the honesty that is written into her characters, to me, is very refreshing. There is a friend who speaks the truths others won't, a man who doesn't listen, a woman who has to see an example of what she doesn't believe can happen before she's willing to follow her feelings, the "not the jock" side man hoping for more than he's going to get, a jazz loving fish, and a frog named Casanova. The fish and frog are integral to the story, and to the message of the film. Brilliant writing. Using precise word choices and dialogue, the truths of the characters shine though. On the directorial side, Ms. Myers has gone for reality. It's quiet, mundane in the most respectful and complimentary sense; it's how humans interact. These people just are and do. Yet, the concepts of life they are exploring are deeply important and often, as the film depicts, confusing and stifling. The biggest plus for me was the score. I'm a huge jazz fan; what a gift to have jazz play an important role in a storyline. And soooo tasty. Thank you, Jay Mason, Greg Eichen, Garry Gibbons, David Tobocman, and especially Ryan Shore for the ever so sweet sax. It's the perfect wave for the rolling highs and lows these characters are navigating, that we all navigate. About that honesty. These people are we. If you don't see yourself in this film, you're missing something. Don't let the quietness fool you; there's a lot going on here. Here, less is so much more.

Yikes!

[MrOvletine · 3 June 2023]

Well, I'm a fan of both Mathew Modine and Gina Gershon, but this movie really tanks. It take about ten minutes into the movie before you can figure out the ending. It's a little too obvious. I actually fell asleep during this film. The thing is, why is Gina Gershon playing an English woman? She doesn't have a real English accent, and she doesn't look even close to being English. It's like seeing an Egyptian actor playing native Scottish guy named Angus McTavish. And her as an amphibian biologist - in New York? Downtown? Yes, that makes perfect sense. Well, this one will be going on the shelf and possibly a garage sale for .25 cents.