85 reviews
This was "Dumb and Dumber" without the crudeness and profanity. That doesn't mean it's an award winner: it's pretty stupid, but it is refreshing to see a movie in which both Joe Pesci and Danny Glover star and never utter a profane word! Unbelievable! And you can add Rosanna Arquett to that list, too, and she wasn't exactly Mother Teresa in a lot of films.
The professional critics totally lambasted this film, which wasn't altogether fair, either. It is refreshing in its innocence (something critics know nothing about) and it has its funny moments. Best of all it's entertaining. Yes, this is "Lightweight" with a capital "L" but I've seen a whole lot of films that were the opposite and total garbage. At least you watch this with your kids and have some laughs. What's wrong with that?
The professional critics totally lambasted this film, which wasn't altogether fair, either. It is refreshing in its innocence (something critics know nothing about) and it has its funny moments. Best of all it's entertaining. Yes, this is "Lightweight" with a capital "L" but I've seen a whole lot of films that were the opposite and total garbage. At least you watch this with your kids and have some laughs. What's wrong with that?
- ccthemovieman-1
- Jun 1, 2006
- Permalink
i don't know why people are talking smack about this film. It's funny and stupid at the same time. Joe Pesci and Danny Glover are going fishing before the Thanksgiving holidays and everything turns into a disaster. It's just funny.
- departed07
- Aug 8, 2003
- Permalink
Well, this is pretty much your basic slapstick goof ball comedy. You have two fairly dim-witted people who aren't too keen on their surroundings and the havoc they wreak around them, and they get into a bunch if jiffies along the way. There, that was pretty much the lay down of the general story.
Now, the performances of Pesci and Glover, are as usual, right on. They both did a good job with their roles, and the chemistry between the two worked marvelous.
There are lots of situations throughout the movie that makes you cringe your toes in awkwardness, but the movie only managed to get a couple of laughs out in me. Lots of pulling on the smiles, but not really the type of comedy that makes you cringe over and laugh so hard you have tears trickling down your cheeks.
The supporting roles were nicely filled out as well, though many of the characters in the movie were somewhat quirky.
The movie is fairly wholesome to watch and good for an entertaining evening, but I say it is hardly the type of movie you return to again a second time, unless you are a die-hard Glover or Pesci fan.
Now, the performances of Pesci and Glover, are as usual, right on. They both did a good job with their roles, and the chemistry between the two worked marvelous.
There are lots of situations throughout the movie that makes you cringe your toes in awkwardness, but the movie only managed to get a couple of laughs out in me. Lots of pulling on the smiles, but not really the type of comedy that makes you cringe over and laugh so hard you have tears trickling down your cheeks.
The supporting roles were nicely filled out as well, though many of the characters in the movie were somewhat quirky.
The movie is fairly wholesome to watch and good for an entertaining evening, but I say it is hardly the type of movie you return to again a second time, unless you are a die-hard Glover or Pesci fan.
- paul_haakonsen
- Nov 6, 2010
- Permalink
Ok, why's this film get a bad rap? I saw it and enjoyed it thoroughly. Not very often in these days do you get a film like this. It's a comedy without poop jokes, sexual innuendo or foul language. And you know what? It's truly funny. The innocents Joe Pesci and Danny Glover project, mixed with the wacky situations they get mixed up in, is truly hilarious. Not only did I find this film a laugh filled feel-good comedy, but its one of the few comedies of the 90's that I would feel OK about my little brother watching it with me.
There is nothing bad about this film. Sure; the script is silly, and the plot is inane, but the movie itself projects an innocent fun that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Sure, if you're looking for a comedy akin to American Pie or Something About Marry, you won't find anything to your liking here. However, if you want a clean fun comedy with wacky antics and a good fun plot, this will work great.
There is nothing bad about this film. Sure; the script is silly, and the plot is inane, but the movie itself projects an innocent fun that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Sure, if you're looking for a comedy akin to American Pie or Something About Marry, you won't find anything to your liking here. However, if you want a clean fun comedy with wacky antics and a good fun plot, this will work great.
The previews for this movie made it look really funny. Especially the part where Glover's character says, "I don't want to squeal like a pig!" after a reference to the movie "Deliverance". However, I was extremely disappointed by the movie itself. When we got to the theater, we found only two other couples there, and they both left after about the first twenty minutes. Unfortunately, we stayed and watched the whole thing. The whole movie consisted mostly of two my favorite actors, Joe Pesci and Danny Glover, acting like retarded people and talking baby talk to each other. It is all this "baby talk" that makes the movie so unbearable to watch. I wanted to climb through the screen and slap them. I give this movie a borderline zeebo.
- MarGab0u812
- Aug 18, 2004
- Permalink
I watched this on a flight to St. Louis, and it's the first ever movie I have had to stop watching. It is awful - I thought Men In White was bad, but this tops everything! What were they thinking? I was trapped for the full length of the movie at 36,000 feet! Never again...
- stephan-38
- Aug 25, 2000
- Permalink
Danny Glover and Joe Pesci are good actors in my book. But something went seriously wrong in this film. What?
For starters, the script is not funny. But the film is worse than the script. There are dumb scripts that attract a certain audience because the actors somehow manage to be funny/interesting/appealing or the director puts the whole thing together in a funny/interesting/appealing way. In this film, everything is pathetic.
Well, the film has so-called "production values". It's not a home movie. So, it's an example of what-not-to-do with several million dollars.
For starters, the script is not funny. But the film is worse than the script. There are dumb scripts that attract a certain audience because the actors somehow manage to be funny/interesting/appealing or the director puts the whole thing together in a funny/interesting/appealing way. In this film, everything is pathetic.
Well, the film has so-called "production values". It's not a home movie. So, it's an example of what-not-to-do with several million dollars.
- August1991
- Dec 1, 2003
- Permalink
I have to disagree with all the other comments on this film. Really, I do. I don't understand why people this isn't funny? Well okay maybe not really really funny but, there is some humorous stuff in it. That does make it funny. Especially when those two guys are looking at Ranger boat and then they accidentally hit & break the throttle and the key! Shortly after that they rocket out of the bay and onto land where they lose their 2 engines, and then go skidding right through a boat display area causing everything to knock over and their boat to break in half. Anyway maybe it could be better, but still it was a good film. Rating-6. It was a great film.
This attempt at comedy clearly didn't work out as demonstrated by the reaction of the comments to this forum. One could never guess what made the people behind "Gone Fishin'" even attempt to produce a substandard comedy that is an insult to movie fans.
We would have Joe Pesci and Danny Glover's heads examined in order for us to understand how did they agree to appear in this movie. It seems they must have been hard up for cash because this film will not add anything to their careers.
Let's just hope the joke is on us and the director, cast and crew had a fabulous time while doing this movie and that perhaps they managed to have "gone fishin'" themselves while they were in the area.
We would have Joe Pesci and Danny Glover's heads examined in order for us to understand how did they agree to appear in this movie. It seems they must have been hard up for cash because this film will not add anything to their careers.
Let's just hope the joke is on us and the director, cast and crew had a fabulous time while doing this movie and that perhaps they managed to have "gone fishin'" themselves while they were in the area.
- anaconda-40658
- Jun 22, 2015
- Permalink
This has got to be the worst comedy I have seen in a few years. Pesci and Glover must have been really desperate to take these roles. Their characters are mentally retarded people from New Jersey who win a fishing trip to the Florida everglades. Could've been a funny movie but everything from start to finish is predictable and NOT FUNNY! It gets even worse after you keep hearing the guys call each other by their first names in every other sentence. Here's an example of the dialogue throughout the entire movie:("Hey Gus, what should we do?" "I don't know Joe." "Gus, this is weird. They stole my car." "We can go find it Joe." "Will you help me find it Gus?" "Sure I'll help you find it Joe." "Thanks Gus." "No Problem Joe, Always glad to help Joe." "Thanks Gus. You know what Gus? You're a real pal!" "So are you Joe! A real pal.") Gus Gus Joe Joe Joe Gus Gus Joe Gus Joe Joe Gus.....on and on and on and on and on. Did the writer not pick up on this when he was writing the script? Maybe he did but he forgot to think about one thing....IT'S NOT FUNNY!!! * out of ****. Waste of talent. Pesci should get back in his mobster roles since he hasn't done a decent movie in 4 years. And Glover better start working on a Lethal Weapon 5. Get to work Boys!
- MovieMan-112
- Sep 24, 1999
- Permalink
I am a big fan of both Danny Glover and Joe Pesci and I think they make a great team. They were good together in the "Lethal Weapon" series and they're great here. Gone Fishin' is a hilarious movie that showcases both actors at their best. Danny Glover hasn't been so good since his last movie and won't be again until his next movie. Glover is truly one of Hollywood's greatest actors. Joe Pesci makes a big comeback after the terrible "8 Heads in a Duffelbag". This movie has non-stop laughs. I highly recommend this movie. I give it a 10! 10+! Boderline Living!
It's really very simple. A movie is awful when situations are not credible. When something is not credible, then it cannot be funny or scary or whatever! This movie is loaded with situations that are not believable, making it extremely UNFUNNY. Joe Pesci's phony southern/ red-neck/yokel accent was pathetic in it's believability. Glover was okay, but he had a horrible script to work with. The contrived situations are so far-fetched as to make the view say... "Give me a break!" The stunts are pathetic in the extreme. Stunts that are not possible are not enjoyable. Remember, Hollywood, it's gotta be believable to be enjoyed. Life is short, Hollywood Quit wasting our time with junk.
To think that after a beginning like Raging Bull, and other stellar performances from the truly warped Tommy in Goodfellas to Simon Wilder of With Honors, not to mention actually funny performances in My Cousin Vinnie, The Super, and Leo from the LW series, that he would do a total stinker like this. Although Danny Glover often chooses "Acting Lite" in his roles he does have a fair degree of talent. Why these two paired up to make this "movie" I will never understand.
If you have difficulty counting without the use of your fingers you might find a measure of humor here. Otherwise be prepared for 94 minutes of the most horrendous bad acting caught on film. I firmly believe there was not actually a script for this movie. How many times can you watch these two morons look at each other with their mouths agape, saying "Oh yeaaaah."?
I saw this when it first opened, hoping for some light, funny comedy, what I got was an hour and a half of me staring at my wife, her staring back wondering if it was ever going to be funny. Needless to say, our answer came with the credits. "Gone Fishin'" has become a catchphrase for anything that is truly horrible.
As an aficionado of B movies, in the Mystery Science Theater sense, I thoroughly enjoy a bad movie. It is a wonderful thing to add dialogue with friends and jeer at the horrors of movies like "Surf Nazis Must Die" (an actual title, check it out) but this doesn't even make it to that worthy category of: So Bad You Have To See It. Spare your brain cells. If you want to see something stupid but funny there are an infinite number of choices. Too many choices for anyone to have a good reason to watch this.
If you have difficulty counting without the use of your fingers you might find a measure of humor here. Otherwise be prepared for 94 minutes of the most horrendous bad acting caught on film. I firmly believe there was not actually a script for this movie. How many times can you watch these two morons look at each other with their mouths agape, saying "Oh yeaaaah."?
I saw this when it first opened, hoping for some light, funny comedy, what I got was an hour and a half of me staring at my wife, her staring back wondering if it was ever going to be funny. Needless to say, our answer came with the credits. "Gone Fishin'" has become a catchphrase for anything that is truly horrible.
As an aficionado of B movies, in the Mystery Science Theater sense, I thoroughly enjoy a bad movie. It is a wonderful thing to add dialogue with friends and jeer at the horrors of movies like "Surf Nazis Must Die" (an actual title, check it out) but this doesn't even make it to that worthy category of: So Bad You Have To See It. Spare your brain cells. If you want to see something stupid but funny there are an infinite number of choices. Too many choices for anyone to have a good reason to watch this.
This movie made me feel embarrassed for Joe Pesci and Danny Glover. It wasn't funny... Not funny at all... It disgraces of both of their names in my opinion and is my all time worst waste of time. Where can I get a refund for the 1.5 hours of my life?!?! Hmmm.. Well apparently I have to write at least ten lines about this horrible movie for you to learn of just how bad it is. This is really just another waste of my time but I feel that it is beneficial for people to be aware of just how much I disapprove of this wonderful display of inadequacy. Perhaps I should use the following 2 lines to write script that would be better, but unfortunately it's difficult to write blank script. So what I'll suggest is that the original film should be chopped up into tiny little pieces and used as confetti at REAL movie premiers. If I could vote lower than 1 I would. I guess that's 13 lines. :)
- intotheabysss
- Jan 2, 2006
- Permalink
This movie is not a big thing. Its just a regular comedy with a simple story. It has got good actors like Danny Glover and Joe Pesci. They do a good job playing the two fishermen Gus Green and Joe Waters. But everybody knows that both of them can do better. This movie is basically a story of two ordinary guys who face extraordinary situations. Like their car being stolen by a con artist, causing a fire in a hotel and fighting with a crocodile.
This movie will bring some entertainment on a boring evening. You will have some laughs and be able to kill some time. However buying this movie is not a good idea, go rent it. If you saw it once its enough.
7/10
If you really want to see a good movie with Danny Glover and Joe Pesci then watch "Lethal Weapon 2". Joe Pesci is great in that movie.
This movie will bring some entertainment on a boring evening. You will have some laughs and be able to kill some time. However buying this movie is not a good idea, go rent it. If you saw it once its enough.
7/10
If you really want to see a good movie with Danny Glover and Joe Pesci then watch "Lethal Weapon 2". Joe Pesci is great in that movie.
- chesterfox40
- Nov 1, 2006
- Permalink
All i have to say is Danny Glover and Joe Pesci must've been bored and/or broke when they made this horrible movie. if i had a 3 year-old kid who had nothing better to watch one day, i still wouldn't submit the poor tyke to this waste of human energy.
When looked at at a specific perspective, you can see what the producers were trying to do with Gone Fishin'. Make it a quirky, not very serious, fun kids movie. It seems they picked the two most serious actors for the job though. Danny Glover and Joe Pesci are good in lots of things they have been in, but this is just neither of them at their best. I think the problem was the PG rating. This could have been a great film if it had an R rating. Its almost like Glover and Pesci are struggling to hold back the words they want to use. You can tell Pesci just wants to blow off steam at points in the film. If this was R, it could have been a quirky, funny, and all out Comedy.
Glover and Pesci play Gus and Joe, two average guys who want to get away and have a simple, relaxing vacation at the Everglades. They get way more than they ask for after having their car stolen at a restaurant. They realize the man who stole their car is a crook and a killer so Gus and Joe pair up with two girls looking for the man, for a little while, then go off on their own getting into their own trouble. They embark in every which way to try and stop the crook, but they just dig themselves deeper in a hole. Their stupidity doesn't help the situation one bit has both the leads are clueless and naive. But they are dependent on catching the guy and still making it home for Thanksgiving with their family.
Once again, sometimes their stupidity tends to drag the film on which I've never been a fan of. Its just like in Dinner for Schmucks and Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd. Stupidity is one thing, overwhelmingly stupid is another. It wears on you and almost makes you believe the actors are as dumb as they appear. But, thankfully, Gone Fishin' knows its limits and doesn't make the characters brainy, smartasses or make them bumbling nitwits. So the film doesn't fail there.
While being completely harmless, at the same time, its overly kiddish. We saw Joe Pesci play stupid in Home Alone, but now, after seeing Casino and Goodfellas, I don't want to see him in a PG rated kid movie. Id rather have him be in an R rated Comedy where he can be himself and the same goes with Danny Glover. If this was R, it would probably earn another star, and quite possibly, another star in a half. But at least we get a relaxing opening driving scene with a great Willie Nelson tune in the background and a delightful appearance by him as well.
Gone Fishin' was panned at the time, but it should also be taken into mind Janet Wilder was killed during a scene in this movie, so that doesn't give the movie a get-out-of-harsh-words free card, but it should just be said and maybe go easy on the movie. While Im not praising Gone Fishin', Im neither recommending it very far. Keep that in mind.
Starring: Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Nick Brimble, Rosanna Arquette, Lynn Whitfield, and Willie Nelson. Directed by: Christopher Cain.
Glover and Pesci play Gus and Joe, two average guys who want to get away and have a simple, relaxing vacation at the Everglades. They get way more than they ask for after having their car stolen at a restaurant. They realize the man who stole their car is a crook and a killer so Gus and Joe pair up with two girls looking for the man, for a little while, then go off on their own getting into their own trouble. They embark in every which way to try and stop the crook, but they just dig themselves deeper in a hole. Their stupidity doesn't help the situation one bit has both the leads are clueless and naive. But they are dependent on catching the guy and still making it home for Thanksgiving with their family.
Once again, sometimes their stupidity tends to drag the film on which I've never been a fan of. Its just like in Dinner for Schmucks and Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd. Stupidity is one thing, overwhelmingly stupid is another. It wears on you and almost makes you believe the actors are as dumb as they appear. But, thankfully, Gone Fishin' knows its limits and doesn't make the characters brainy, smartasses or make them bumbling nitwits. So the film doesn't fail there.
While being completely harmless, at the same time, its overly kiddish. We saw Joe Pesci play stupid in Home Alone, but now, after seeing Casino and Goodfellas, I don't want to see him in a PG rated kid movie. Id rather have him be in an R rated Comedy where he can be himself and the same goes with Danny Glover. If this was R, it would probably earn another star, and quite possibly, another star in a half. But at least we get a relaxing opening driving scene with a great Willie Nelson tune in the background and a delightful appearance by him as well.
Gone Fishin' was panned at the time, but it should also be taken into mind Janet Wilder was killed during a scene in this movie, so that doesn't give the movie a get-out-of-harsh-words free card, but it should just be said and maybe go easy on the movie. While Im not praising Gone Fishin', Im neither recommending it very far. Keep that in mind.
Starring: Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Nick Brimble, Rosanna Arquette, Lynn Whitfield, and Willie Nelson. Directed by: Christopher Cain.
- StevePulaski
- Aug 20, 2010
- Permalink
Totally useless movie. Danny Glover in particular, should be ashamed. He is a great actor and this waste of time, only detracts from his stature. Joe Pesci's work is also usually well above the calabre we saw here. I can't even imagine that they could claim that this was fun to make.
- johninhalifax
- Mar 25, 2002
- Permalink
Don't listen to the cynics. Gone Fishing was pretty fun. There is nothing mean spirited here just a a funny flick about two guys who go on a fishing trip. I know it is fashionable to blast this film. I heard so much negative stuff that I almost did not rent it. If you are looking for comedy based on satire, parody, insults, or crude situations you will not find it here. This is just a fun movie with no agenda which makes it a rarity. This film is more in the spirit of Out to Sea, Grumpy Old Men, Road to Hong Kong or even Legally Blonde. Gone Fishing is worth a rental.
- mrskywalker
- Jul 15, 2001
- Permalink
Wholly painful and terrible to endure, at the time I saw it, I decided it was the worst movie I had ever borne witness to, 5 years later, I have yet to see it matched. The humor is repetitive and not funny in the least. Pesci and Glover, while neither my favorites, play the worst roles of their life with a script written by an utter moron, directed by someone with no comic timing. The only blessing is when the end credits roll, and the incessant stupidity of Pesci and Glover is finally put to rest. Avoid this one at all costs. Furthermore, if you find someone who enjoyed this movie, or considered it funny, they are, quite bluntly, a moron, never trust their judgement in film, never trust their character, or put your trust in them.
After finally watching this movie with a senior citizen and reading all of the other readers' comments about how terrible this movie "is", I thought I should have my say.
First, this movie isn't the BEST comedy ever. There have been better comedies before and since this movie. True, hearing the characters calling each other by their first names every so often can be annoying at times, I am PLEASED that I didn't hear much profanity in the movie.
I would much rather hear the characters' first names in every other sentence than profanity. So, this movie is rare in the sense of NOT having profane jokes and potty humor (like Austin Powers) to encourage laughter. But, knowing how today's society is, there is still the occasional "hell", "damn", and such.
Second, when I was watching this movie, I began to think of how the characters relied on some physical comedy and some crude slapstick humor. I do think the comedic routine could've been more refined and I have laughed at "The Three Stooges", "Oliver and Hardy", "Abott and Costello", and the older classic comedies more than I did in this movie. "Dumb and Dumber" was funnier, but somewhat vulgar.
Third, the plot and the characters could've been more refined, too. It seems as though about all the characters had to do was to act silly and get overly excited about winning a fishing trip and being very naive and innocent while creating havoc. But, this movie is simple and doesn't rely on some of the other crap that other movies rely on to get a laugh.
Finally, I would suggest this movie to older viewers who do appreciate a simple comedy without all of the unnecessary violence, potty humor, and profanity as evident in most of today's movies. (If this movie could've been more refined, I would've given it an "8" out of "10", but instead I give it a "5".)
PS--I don't think that most of mainstream society would appreciate this movie as they might appreciate potty humor and profanity, which I think is worse to think about than this movie itself!
Happy Viewing!
First, this movie isn't the BEST comedy ever. There have been better comedies before and since this movie. True, hearing the characters calling each other by their first names every so often can be annoying at times, I am PLEASED that I didn't hear much profanity in the movie.
I would much rather hear the characters' first names in every other sentence than profanity. So, this movie is rare in the sense of NOT having profane jokes and potty humor (like Austin Powers) to encourage laughter. But, knowing how today's society is, there is still the occasional "hell", "damn", and such.
Second, when I was watching this movie, I began to think of how the characters relied on some physical comedy and some crude slapstick humor. I do think the comedic routine could've been more refined and I have laughed at "The Three Stooges", "Oliver and Hardy", "Abott and Costello", and the older classic comedies more than I did in this movie. "Dumb and Dumber" was funnier, but somewhat vulgar.
Third, the plot and the characters could've been more refined, too. It seems as though about all the characters had to do was to act silly and get overly excited about winning a fishing trip and being very naive and innocent while creating havoc. But, this movie is simple and doesn't rely on some of the other crap that other movies rely on to get a laugh.
Finally, I would suggest this movie to older viewers who do appreciate a simple comedy without all of the unnecessary violence, potty humor, and profanity as evident in most of today's movies. (If this movie could've been more refined, I would've given it an "8" out of "10", but instead I give it a "5".)
PS--I don't think that most of mainstream society would appreciate this movie as they might appreciate potty humor and profanity, which I think is worse to think about than this movie itself!
Happy Viewing!