I hope you are all as tired as I am of seeing the same repetition of trite films that we are bombarded with. Your local blockbuster new release wall is a shrine full of such poor excuses for film making. When you have a medium so rich and so full of posibilites it is sad to have to suffer through such recycled garbage or non stop toilet humor. This film does neither. This is a movie that for a change explores something that should be meaningful to all of us, life. It does not do it in a cynical and overly oh I am trying to be clever way like The Last Supper. Rather this film has a philosophy and does not cop out like say City of Angels where Nicholas Cage decides who cares if God doesn't care as long as I can go swimming naked. Sure the actors are not the best but then Top Flight actors do not play peeping Tom perverts or dying hill billies for the most part. What you do get is a good story that is worth your while. It is listed as a comedy but film's like this defy genre because it is a story. It is a story with its own points and messages that is not carefully placed into a three act dramatic structure. Go watch October Sky if you want heart warming.
30 Reviews
Bizarrely Affecting Movie with Dreamy Music
steven-1129 April 2003
A bizarre little jejune movie with seemingly detestable characters somehow works as it draws you into caring for the principal players deficiencies. Like peeling an onion, both sweet and sour.
Arquette is on top form in a more serious role for once. Excellent performances from the entire cast but what really impressed was the wonderful soundtrack, one of the most offbeat and eclectic ever compiled and now a favourite of mine.
Arquette is on top form in a more serious role for once. Excellent performances from the entire cast but what really impressed was the wonderful soundtrack, one of the most offbeat and eclectic ever compiled and now a favourite of mine.
A fun, trippy, and often brilliant film.
Greg-15522 May 1999
Here's a prime example of why indie films are so good! "Dream With the Fishes" easily often proves to be a fun, trippy, and often brilliant film. Now I wouldn't say it's a genius of a film, but it has some interesting insight to life, some which just might be true. It was well written and thoughtfully directed. David Arquette, like usual, is convincing and very good, as well as Brad Hunt and Kathryn Erbe.
David Arquette's finest hour
drosse6720 October 2002
....Which really isn't saying much, I suppose. But in this film, he actually ACTS, instead of his usual mugging. The premise of this movie intrigued me--a suicidal guy makes a strange pact with a terminally ill guy--and the first half is bizarre and wonderful. In the end, it got to be a bit drawn-out, and the marriage by the bedside was a little too contrived for my taste. But I wondered what happened to Cathy Moriarty and the girl from Rich in Love (the one with the black hair); they must be pretty picky as they don't get many roles. This film was unique enough to hold my attention and those who liked Buffalo 66 will probably eat it up. Another strange performance from character actor J.E. Freeman to boot.
A good indie film.
mram1623 July 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Terry is suicidal after the death of his wife. Nick is an ailing junkie with only weeks to live. Using Terry's rainy day money they set out on a "vacation" to experience life and go out with a bang, with a promise that Nick will kill Terry at the end of the trip. They end up at the house of Nick's Aunt Elise, Nick tries to make peace with his father, and his girlfriend Liz shows up. While there Terry thinks he won the lottery, only to learn that it was a setup by Nick so that Terry would know what it felt like to win. Meanwhile, Nick's condition worsens. Nick ends up in the hospital and Terry changes his mind about dying. Ironically it's now Terry who helps Nick to die. Terry dumps Nick's ashes in a bay, and we learn the truth about Terry's "wife".
Simple story, told beautifully.
simonjbward11 November 2004
Dream With The Fishes accomplishes what so many small independent films fail to do: it adheres to the reliable simplicity of storyline and character without getting bogged down in gimmickry or its own cleverness.
The casting and performances are perfect - it's a shame that David Arquette has disappeared into his wife's shadow - his performance as self-loathing/suicidal Terry is the perfect foil for Brad Hunt's desperate and free-spirited Nick. Both actors are brilliant in this film yet they've both remained relatively obscure in the years since it's release.
Perhaps Finn Taylor's direction has a lot to do with it. Aside from the performances he wrangles from his actors, Dream With The Fishes is also beautifully filmed, from the shots and camera angles to the lighting and even film stock he chooses for different moments to highlight shifts in character and story.
Add to this a haunting soundtrack (which I can thank for my introduction to Nick Drake) and you have a charming, heart-breaking, inspiring ride that serves both as an entertaining couple of hours viewing and a fine example for aspiring filmmakers.
The casting and performances are perfect - it's a shame that David Arquette has disappeared into his wife's shadow - his performance as self-loathing/suicidal Terry is the perfect foil for Brad Hunt's desperate and free-spirited Nick. Both actors are brilliant in this film yet they've both remained relatively obscure in the years since it's release.
Perhaps Finn Taylor's direction has a lot to do with it. Aside from the performances he wrangles from his actors, Dream With The Fishes is also beautifully filmed, from the shots and camera angles to the lighting and even film stock he chooses for different moments to highlight shifts in character and story.
Add to this a haunting soundtrack (which I can thank for my introduction to Nick Drake) and you have a charming, heart-breaking, inspiring ride that serves both as an entertaining couple of hours viewing and a fine example for aspiring filmmakers.
A Film To Dream About
Dizzy_Steinway27 August 2001
Terry (David Arquette) is a very sad, lonely man who spends his days watching other people live their lives rather than trying to make one of his own. Rather than do this, he decides that the best thing to do is to commit suicide by jumping off of the Golden Gate Bridge.
In what he thinks are the final few moments of his life along comes a very confident man, Nick (Brad Hunt), who notices that Terry can't seem to find the nerve to actually go through with it, and persuades him that this kind of suicide would actually be quite painfull, and might not even work, and suggests that he overdose on pills. Nick makes an offer of a jar of sleeping pills that he has at his apartment, in exchange for Terry's watch.
Once the pills have been downed, Terry suddenly has a drastic change of heart and makes Nick take him to the hospital where it is revealed that they were actually vitamins.
Angry, Terry wants to confront Nick to get his watch back and finally tracks him down at the hospital where he finds out that Nick only has a short while to live himself.
The next day, Nick leaves the hospital with a proposal for Terry. If he will help Nick to live out all of his life long fantasies in the few weeks before he dies, Nick will pay him back by killing him.
Determined to go out with a bang, Nick takes Terry on an adventure and teaches him how to live his life to the fullest, including robbing a bank with an unloaded gun and nude bowling with prostitutes (whatever turns you on Nick!!)
It may seem that Nick is doing this all for him, but this film is about not taking life for granted and he is trying to open up a new world for Terry, one where he wouldn't want to die. This is what makes this a fantastic movie with many highs and lows. Mainly, a great story of love, friendship and adventure.
In what he thinks are the final few moments of his life along comes a very confident man, Nick (Brad Hunt), who notices that Terry can't seem to find the nerve to actually go through with it, and persuades him that this kind of suicide would actually be quite painfull, and might not even work, and suggests that he overdose on pills. Nick makes an offer of a jar of sleeping pills that he has at his apartment, in exchange for Terry's watch.
Once the pills have been downed, Terry suddenly has a drastic change of heart and makes Nick take him to the hospital where it is revealed that they were actually vitamins.
Angry, Terry wants to confront Nick to get his watch back and finally tracks him down at the hospital where he finds out that Nick only has a short while to live himself.
The next day, Nick leaves the hospital with a proposal for Terry. If he will help Nick to live out all of his life long fantasies in the few weeks before he dies, Nick will pay him back by killing him.
Determined to go out with a bang, Nick takes Terry on an adventure and teaches him how to live his life to the fullest, including robbing a bank with an unloaded gun and nude bowling with prostitutes (whatever turns you on Nick!!)
It may seem that Nick is doing this all for him, but this film is about not taking life for granted and he is trying to open up a new world for Terry, one where he wouldn't want to die. This is what makes this a fantastic movie with many highs and lows. Mainly, a great story of love, friendship and adventure.
Strange but generally appealing little movie
allyjack10 September 1999
It's a strange little movie, continually shifting focus, at the end perhaps not amounting to much more than a whimsical playing with odd offbeat lives, but generally quite appealing: some of the ideas - like that of a general malaise trying to elevate itself by identification with a specific loss - are particularly intriguing. The evocative title sums up the generally lilting approach toward dreams and fantasies and self-definitions, although the movie as a whole is in many ways oriented more towards grunginess and weirdness, almost verging on exploitation at times. A major reservation must attach to the marginality of the women - Erbe has some very striking moments, but her agenda and feelings aren't explored much. On the whole, not distinctive enough to stick around particularly in one's memory.
dream for my father
aberjam200615 October 2007
I have a special place for this movie, as my father had a bit part in the film as the bartender playing the glasses while David Arquette dances on the bar. my dad passed away exactly one year ago today from cancer, and I wanted to give him a little shout out on here, as this film is indicative of how he spent the last days of his life. Apparently the filmmakers hung out in the bar my dad worked at while they were filming this, and saw him play the glasses as such, and decided to put in the 20 sec scene on a whim. They also got his last name completely wrong in the credits. It's Engel, not Ingalls. But nonetheless, it's a wonderful and moving film that I would recommend highly.
Good premise, poor story.
=G=2 February 2002
"Dream With The Fishes" is a not-to-be-taken-seriously drama about two guys with nothing to lose. One is suicidal (Arquette) and one is terminally ill (Hunt). With a premise like that the flick could have taken any of several directions from hard core action to a powerful psychodrama to a sensitive examination of mutual doom. However, this unfortunate film, which does get off to a good start with Hunt carrying the load, lags around the middle and then turns into sheer boredom as it wanders aimlessly toward its own expiration. A B-flick at best, "Dream..." has little to offer.
Beautiful!
Sebastian-2015 July 2002
Off course this movie hasn't got the most original story. It has similarities with films like Harold and Maude, Freeway or Mad love. But despite of the fact that it isn't original, it still remains (in my opinion) a beautiful little gem. The music was great and David Arquette, Brad Hunt and Kathryn Erbe (and the others) showed some nice acting. I'm glad I had the opportunity to see this film!
David Arquette can actually act!
BloodTheTelepathicDog11 December 2004
I was never very fond of David, and just referred to him as Rosanna's goofy brother, but he gives an amazing heart-felt performance, in this, one of the best pictures ever made.
This is a wonderful male bonding film, with valuable life lessons, that finds unbridled wildchild Nick(Hunt), who is terminally ill, scams Terry(Arquette) out of committing suicide. Nick lives out his final days with a reckless abandon, dragging the terminally square Terry along for the ride. Along the way, Terry finds the passion to live again. A complete masterpiece!
Patrick McGaw, J.E Freeman and Kathryn Erbe were all brilliant in supporting roles, and Brad Hunt was perfectly cast alongside Arquette. Rarely does a film come out that is so compelling, witty, dark and surreal than this gem. Highly recommend to buy rather than rent.
This is a wonderful male bonding film, with valuable life lessons, that finds unbridled wildchild Nick(Hunt), who is terminally ill, scams Terry(Arquette) out of committing suicide. Nick lives out his final days with a reckless abandon, dragging the terminally square Terry along for the ride. Along the way, Terry finds the passion to live again. A complete masterpiece!
Patrick McGaw, J.E Freeman and Kathryn Erbe were all brilliant in supporting roles, and Brad Hunt was perfectly cast alongside Arquette. Rarely does a film come out that is so compelling, witty, dark and surreal than this gem. Highly recommend to buy rather than rent.
What? The Full Monty was nominated but not this??
culwin23 September 1999
WOW! This was a great movie! The AT&T man really shines in this one, as do all the actors! Finn Taylor and Jeffrey D. Brown easily should have been up there accepting an Oscar. This movie is everything, funny, serious, edgy, philosophical, realistic! Great camera work and lighting capture the edgy moments, and the soundtrack totally kicks. Wow, I can't rave about this movie enough! If you thought Blair Witch was unrealistic and are looking for something thought provoking and different, check this one out. You won't be disappointed.
A Fish In My Dreams
Karma-714 November 1998
Terry is a lonely man who spends his days watching his neighbors with monoculars. Then He meets Nick...... "Dream With Fishes" by following the " Live for the Moment,Live For Your Dreams and Experience everything " ideology Guides us back to the 70's. Fin Taylor says truths that it really hearts to watch them on the screen. How does it feel to live your life through another mans Life,because you don't dare to interfere in your world? How does it feel to live through another man experiences? Taylor creates a strong relationship between two men based on need and guided to true altruism.
An Excellent film - All time classic
eztiger26 January 2004
Dreams with the Fishes, is a film that will only be appreciated by those that have have the time to sit and think about life, its meanings and what do we really want / need as individuals. It manages to address so many issues and identifies the many human characteristics in all of us that make us annoying, frail, funny and kind.
This film is so much more than a comedy, it is a unique entity that manages to do so many things where others fail. A shoe string budget and not big actors but this adds to its perfection. A must see, a must buy for collectors looking for something different. Will leave you gob smacked...
Such a shame it isn't available on DVD.
This film is so much more than a comedy, it is a unique entity that manages to do so many things where others fail. A shoe string budget and not big actors but this adds to its perfection. A must see, a must buy for collectors looking for something different. Will leave you gob smacked...
Such a shame it isn't available on DVD.
Kathryn Erbe is Fantastic
JohnLeeT10 April 2013
This odd movie is completely stolen by a brilliant supporting performance by Kathryn Erbe and once she appears on screen, it's simply her picture. It is a really wonderful piece of work and admirers of her television work will find it a true treat. While she has done some very fine motion picture work, especially memorably in Kiss of Death and Rich in Love, it the tragic-comic turn here that completely overwhelms her fellow cast members. Not a great movie but because of Kathryn Erbe's delightful and moving work, it is well worth your time. Since this review has been judged too short, I would just like to comment that her work in Law and Order: Criminal Intent is excellent and it was quite rewarding indeed to see her give a great performance reprising her role as Eames on some Special Victims Unit episodes. It is truly amazing what she does with that character and she deserved an Emmy for her portrayal of NYPD detective, Alex Eames.
A road trip to death becomes a hymn to life...
neoraptor2510 January 2004
Rarely have i seen an indie American film that can rival the sheer beauty of this one; A film that is both darkly comic and touching, both brutal and astonishingly human. And if by the finale, your eyes are without tears, you'd better check if your pulse is still there... 10/10- A mesmerizing masterpiece.
One of the 10 best films of 97
SkaVenger19 March 1999
This movie is really great, written and directed by Finn Taylor (who wrote the not so good 'Pontiac Moon' with Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen), this film is one of the best independent films from 90's.
When it was shown for the first time in the 97 Sundance, everyone thought it had real chances to get the best film award, or at least the script award but it didn't. It surely deserved something.
This is a story about life, happiness, sadness, lifestyle and choices. Terry (David Arquette)is a lonely man who spends his time watching his neighbours from his window with binoculars, Nick, who is going to die in three weeks, is one of them. Terry wants to kill himself but Nick enters his life by accident and they decide to live just a few days more and have some fun.
The performances are great, David Arquette has a lot of potencial when he's not doing movies like Scream 2, and that was the first time Brad Hunt (Nick) called my attencion, I had never heard about him before, he was in the also great 'Point Break' tough. Katheryne Erbe (Who plays Nick's girlfriend) was really great too and I had never heard about her before too.
Since 'Living In Oblivion' an American independent movie doesn't surprise so much and it doesn't mean 'Living In Oblivion' is better then 'Dream with fishes', they're both great.
If you haven't seen this one, just choose one day you're really really relaxed and check it out. It's really a must-see.
When it was shown for the first time in the 97 Sundance, everyone thought it had real chances to get the best film award, or at least the script award but it didn't. It surely deserved something.
This is a story about life, happiness, sadness, lifestyle and choices. Terry (David Arquette)is a lonely man who spends his time watching his neighbours from his window with binoculars, Nick, who is going to die in three weeks, is one of them. Terry wants to kill himself but Nick enters his life by accident and they decide to live just a few days more and have some fun.
The performances are great, David Arquette has a lot of potencial when he's not doing movies like Scream 2, and that was the first time Brad Hunt (Nick) called my attencion, I had never heard about him before, he was in the also great 'Point Break' tough. Katheryne Erbe (Who plays Nick's girlfriend) was really great too and I had never heard about her before too.
Since 'Living In Oblivion' an American independent movie doesn't surprise so much and it doesn't mean 'Living In Oblivion' is better then 'Dream with fishes', they're both great.
If you haven't seen this one, just choose one day you're really really relaxed and check it out. It's really a must-see.
one of my favorites
stankystank8 October 2004
I just wanted to take the time to let people know this movie is a hidden treasure. The performances are fantastic. The script is first rate and the direction couldn't have been better. Although I know David Arquette isn't a great actor, I still think he did a great job playing the quirky suicidal character that really only needs someone to love him. Brad Hunt is very realistic as the dying friend who teaches David how to live life to the fullest. Finn Taylor is quite a talent. The way he mixes comedy and drama is something I hadn't seen in quite some time. I truly felt the deep friendship the two main characters had. The nude bowling scene was funny but the acid laced cop in a donut shop was flat out hysterical. Please give this movie a chance. It moved me.
Another all time favourite.
yusufpiskin6 January 2020
This is a quirky dark comedy about two young men who meet under unlikely circumstances. One is a lonely, depressed guy who spends his time spying on the neighbors. The other suffers from an unspecified life-threatening illness.
At first I was completely absorbed in the odd story and quirky characters. The dialogue on the bridge was priceless. But I gradually lost interest in the story and characters. I found it difficult to maintain a connection with the characters, and a lot of the humor and dialogue seemed a bit forced.
At first I was completely absorbed in the odd story and quirky characters. The dialogue on the bridge was priceless. But I gradually lost interest in the story and characters. I found it difficult to maintain a connection with the characters, and a lot of the humor and dialogue seemed a bit forced.
Funniest Film EVER
iamalose23 August 2003
There is not much to say about this film other than it is the funniest movie that I have ever watched. I wish sometimes that I could just forget it so that I could watch it for the first time over and over again.
And it is hard to make me laugh.
And it is hard to make me laugh.
A funny, touching movie
JesNollie17 July 2001
This is a very funny, very touching movie about learning to live, and to die. The entire cast is very good, but David Arquette is amazing. Alternately funny and pitiful, and often both, as he learns how to live again from a man who is dying. A very wonderful and unique film.
What other movie can claim to have naked bowling?
Wade-2215 July 1999
Dream With the Fishes is an original and daring movie. It deals with very serious topics of death and when life is worth living and a touching and often funny manner. Besides, what other movie can claim to have naked bowling?
Tough Love, Drugs, and Life Affirmation
POLLVX20 February 2003
Dream With the Fishes presents and unlikely duo who are both on a search for what they need to make their lives complete. David Arquette's character, Terry, is a man seriously depressed and looking to end his life when he meets a man with a terminal illness, Nick, played by Brad Hunt. A superficial look at the beginning of the relationship between these two would make the viewer think that Nick's only purpose was to taunt the suicidal Terry, but it becomes apparent through the outcomes of Nick's actions that although what Nick says may seem harsh, its exactly what Terry needs to hear and it is exactly what will save him, not only from a premature death, but from life long boredom and depression. Terry, for his part does a great deal to help his terminally ill friend, even if he only serves for most of the film as Nick's partner, or follower rather, in crime. Over the course of the picture the two develop a true friendship, but things never turn soppy and sentimental, even when Nick is close to the end. There is no tearful, "I love you, man," or anything else that would be out of character for the two; there's nothing that a picture with a larger budget might try to interject to appeal to a wider audience. There are some classic scenes in this movie, among them the nude bowling, and others such as when they do acid on San Francisco's Pier 39, that may only appeal, or will appeal most to those who can actually identify with them. It's not a picture for everyone, but it was definitely a picture for me, so I suggest you check it out as soon as you can.
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