Kettle of Fish

I saw it at the Tribeca film festival and I was impressed. "Kettle of Fish" delivers everything you would want from a romantic comedy: a good story, some big laughs and (after a few twists and turns along the way) the happy ending. The thing that makes this film better than most romantic comedies is its original script, its steady pace and a great performance by Matthew Modine. I would have liked to have seen more of Isiah Whitlock Jr. (State Sen. R. Clayton 'Clay' Davis from "The Wire"), but otherwise I have very little to quibble about with this movie. "Kettle of Fish" would make a good choice for a first date movie.

Well, I'm a fan of both Mathew Modine and Gina Gershon, but this movie really tanks. It take about ten minutes into the movie before you can figure out the ending. It's a little too obvious. I actually fell asleep during this film. The thing is, why is Gina Gershon playing an English woman? She doesn't have a real English accent, and she doesn't look even close to being English. It's like seeing an Egyptian actor playing native Scottish guy named Angus McTavish. And her as an amphibian biologist - in New York? Downtown? Yes, that makes perfect sense. Well, this one will be going on the shelf and possibly a garage sale for .25 cents.

Kettle of Fish is the story of Mel, an aging Lothario (Matthew Modine), whose primary emotional attachment is with his fish Daphne, but who is shaken out of his complacency by the arrival of Ginger, a tightly-wound British amphibian biologist played by Gina Gershon. In time-honored romantic comedy style, Mel rents his apartment to Ginger, then is forced to move back in with her, to the discomfort of both. At the same time, Mel falls hard for a bride (Christy Cashman) on her wedding day and goes to crazy lengths to pursue the relationship. The director keeps a light touch throughout, and invests some fairly stock romantic situations with a sense of surprise. Really a mainstream romantic comedy on an indie budget, I thought Kettle was more satisfying and a lot funnier than the usual Hollywood fare. After a little bit of a slow start, the second half of the movie really starts hopping, and there are some genuine laugh-out-loud moments towards the end, particularly in one of the most awkward seduction scenes I've seen in a while. Great date movie.

I really liked the movie! Though its my wife who dragged me to see it -well, it's a romantic comedy- , I had a great time. The movie is clearly an excellent romantic comedy but I felt it was also much more and spoke a lot to guys issues, such as moving together, who's the right girl and how to make a move towards her. Its very funny and packed with some great lines. I loved the jazzy music, which works with the rhythm of the movie quite well. Gina Gershon is very sexy, but in a new way that suits her well. I had never seen C. Cashman on screen but her dance number is something I'll remember. I also liked to see the guy from American pie and an ex bond girl... Go see it.

I couldn't disagree more with the reviewer above who said this film was awful. I recently saw it at the Reel Blues Festival in Chatam, MA and I have to say... having no idea at all what to expect, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I really did enjoy it. Matthew Modine was excellent and Gina Gershon was very funny. Also, there is a hilarious "strip dance" scene with adorable Christy Cashman that I found to be one of the funniest and most memorable parts of the film. The thing I liked most about the movie was the way it established a certain "mood." It was very well done. There is an almost dark, melancholy mood to the entire film, accented by the use of New York jazz throughout. It is very different than one might expect to see in a "romantic comedy" and that's the reason this film stands out. I think the film makers have tremendous potential and I look forward to more from them in the future. Good work!