Andrew Lee Potts, Billy Zane, Elena Anaya

Location: Present-day London through the eyes of a humble locksmith, Abe (Andrew Lee Potts). Date: Not his day. None of these were on his wish list: 1) Mimi, his Spanish girlfriend, announces that she...( read more  read more... ) is pregnant and then storms off to Madrid. 2) Gangster Danny Devine (Robert Carlyle) gives him 24 hours to pay up his debts 'or else'. 3) Switching cell phones with a neurotic hit man, Lynch (Gary Oldman). 4) Being wanted dead by at least 2 assassins. 5) Being ordered to kill Dead Fish.

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42% liked it

1,897 ratings

R

Directed by: Charley Stadler

Release Date: October 16, 2004

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DVD Release Date: January 4, 2006

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Flixster Reviews (165)


  • October 7, 2008
    I have been fortunate enough to watch 'Dead Fish' a number of times and like any other characteristically well observed film - it becomes more & more alluring (the more and more you watch it). The clarity of the roles and personalities transform to characterise the essential quir...( read more)k which formalises the fundamental and key element of this unique & eccentric English film.

    A storyline set around 'one day' - based on the concept of the switching of two mobile phones. A simple film in terms of storyline adaptation - nevertheless, a wholeheartedly character driven, well observed, well styled, well directed and well edited piece of spirited modern day film making.

    'Dead Fish' doesn't fit into a particular genre or category - in the same way it doesn't promise to be anything other than what it is. This is a light-hearted film with creative license, therefore, if you are open minded or like the appeal of non-mainstream creativity, you will enjoy what this film has to offer.

    An entertaining cast retains the pace and characteristics of the film as a generous and consistent dose of subliminal hilarity throughout. Andrew Lee Potts plays an American young male working as a safe-breaker and key-cutter in London, (unassuming) his life is just about to get a whole lot worse as his mobile phone accidentally gets switched with that of a hit man, and as you can imagine leads to chaos and confusion. Needless to say Gary Oldman is the deranged hit man, Robert Carlyle an aggressive debt-collector, Terrance Stamp one of the hit man's targets, and Billy Zane plays a rather convincing goofy local informative (reminiscent of the alluring George Cole character in the St. Trinian's films).

    The styling & costume cohesion is distinctive, watch out for the drug-induced light bulbs in Sal's flat, Rosenheim's contemporary white establishment, the seedy strip joint known as the 'Parrot Club' and the burgundy uniform which transforms Robert Carlyle into a time warped 60's Mod with matching obsessive 'same colour' VW Camper van.

    There is no denying this is a tremendously well-observed character driven film. The roles formalise into snippets of vulnerability and tension as personalities are pursued. Unsuspecting rivals unite becoming embroiled in bizarre circumstances and the film circulates into a cycle of someone chasing someone else.

    Look for the good in this film and you will not be disappointed. The pace and fury fluctuate as scenes are rhythmically punctuated by the excellent and contemporary 'Groove Armada' soundtrack.

    In this day and age people often liken new creative film directors (or a new film) to cult inspirational movie makers like; Tarantino, Guy Ritchie or The Cohen brothers. 'Dead Fish' is without doubt a cult movie, watch it ten times (I dare you) and love the bones of it like I do!
  • August 8, 2008
    A total indie film that sneaks up on you when you least expect it. Gary Oldman is as great as always, here playing a phycho killer without conscience, who just happens to fall in love with the wrong girl. Robert Carlyle is equally amazing, although he plays but a few minutes. It'...( read more)s hillarious and original, created with raw materials and out of a boiling cauldron, an ideal mood uplifter. Insane and zany, simply wonderful!
  • May 1, 2008
    Another average film that was only just worth watching. I was expecting it to be a lot better, but I just never really got into the story..

    Yeah, yeah, Gary Oldman was pretty good. I guess. Nothing more really, no amazing acting in this, no amazing storyline, oh and only a few...( read more) funny lines.
    I should just point out that I got a few laughs from Robert Carlyle, but apart from that nothing.
  • July 10, 2008
    Hilarious movie! Great cast. Here's a movie with a bit of sense of humor.
  • September 4, 2007
    crazy
  • August 29, 2009
    ACTUALLY QUITE FUNNY. ESPECIALLY OLDMAN'S CHARACTER. GREAT HUMOUR.
  • August 3, 2009
    A great black comedy with an interesting storyline! Gary Oldman shines, of course. Being the extremely versatile actor he is, and the roles of Robert Carlyle, Billy Zane and the small part of Terrence Stamp make this movie an excellent indie film that should be watched at least o...( read more)nce! It's amazing I managed to find this movie for $2 at the local discount store... Nice!
  • June 22, 2009
    Hilarious from start to finish and they still manage to have a decent storyline. I think the secret is they know they're being ridiculous and therefore do it with grace. Oldman never disappoints and his humor and timing is as good as his more serious lines (I think he had one ser...( read more)ious line in the entire movie). Many laughs and a movie I definitely will see again.
  • March 24, 2009
    Interesting to see this kind of a cast in this kind of a film. Oldman, Carlyle and Stamp are all classic actors. And then there's Roden (also great) and...Billy Zane!?! If anything I give this movie credit for mixing Zane with this cast. Very unexpected and as far as i can tell, ...( read more)awesome. So from the actor perspective this film is a keeper? You might think differently after the end credits roll. As it turns out the movie, though sometimes creative and funny, is very poorly written and steals quite a bit from other films (namely 'Snatch'). Its a shame.
  • February 4, 2009
    Quirky :D LOVE Gary Oldman, Robert Carlyle and Billy Zane in this film.

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Dead Fish Trivia


  • True or False.....before every movie Jim Carrey calls his mom to ask her the location of their dead cats uncle sirus, who went missing on 5th July 1975, and has a fish tank filled with m & m' selotaped to his head for three whole days!  Answer »
  • In 'Shrek', how many fish pop up dead when Shrek farts at the start of the movie.  Answer »
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