Dream with the Fishes

Director: Finn Taylor
Screenwriters: Finn Taylor

Institute History

  • 1997 Sundance Film Festival

Description

Dream with the Fishes is a skillful, dramatic tale involving the literal and figurative life-altering journey of two men—one man’s timely spiritual awakening and the other’s unfortunate demise. Terry (David Arquette of johns, from last year’s American Spectrum), a young suicidal man who has always played it safe, happens across Nick and Liz, a thrill-seeking couple. Nick’s days are numbered, and he shares with Terry a dream to take one last trip of wild abandon. A most unlikely twosome, the two men hit the road to live out a few relatively harmless fantasies. Not far along, they run into trouble and end up in Nick’s hometown. There he is reunited with a colorful cast of characters, some more welcoming than others.

Adventuresome plot lines where characters react in unexpected ways make this film a ride well worth taking. There are also healthy doses of humor, including an unforgettable scene in a hospital bed with Nick and Terry wrestling for a watch. Inspired performances from the entire cast leave you caring in spite of yourself for their less-than-appealing characters. Loosely autobiographical, the film is a tribute to renewed hope for those who have lost theirs along the way.

— Lisa Viola

Screening Details

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