AllMovie

The Fisher King offers a highly effective treatment of the time-honored themes of guilt, responsibility, and redemption. No one could say the film lacks in originality: There's enough tragedy, conflict, and Arthurian allusions in Richard LaGravenese's script for several films. Though the seams occasionally show, Terry Gilliam's inventive, sprightly direction smoothes over some of the material's more glaring rough spots. His fingerprints are all over the film, particularly in the surreal scene that transforms Grand Central Station into a dance hall. Gilliam is aided considerably by convincing turns from Jeff Bridges, Robin Williams, and Mercedes Ruehl, who won an Oscar. Though it may be overly ambitious, The Fisher King proves to be a rich, satisfying mix of humor, fantasy, and emotion.