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The Storyline of Gone Fishin’
Gone Fishin’ is a 1997 film that tells the story of two best friends, Joe and Gus, who win a fishing trip to Florida. The two men are complete opposites; Joe is a straight-laced family man who follows every rule, while Gus is a fun-loving, hot-tempered schemer who can’t seem to stay out of trouble.
Despite their differences, the two men set off on their fishing trip in high spirits. However, things quickly take a turn for the worse when they accidentally hook a local mobster instead of the fish they were hoping to catch. As they try to keep out of trouble and avoid getting killed by the vengeful gangsters, Joe and Gus find themselves in increasingly absurd situations.
The Cast and Characters
The film stars Danny Glover as Joe Waters and Joe Pesci as Gus Green. Both actors give strong performances and have great chemistry together on screen. Other notable cast members include Rosanna Arquette as Rita, the sexy bait shop owner who becomes entangled in their antics, and Nick Brimble as Dekker, the intimidating mobster with a penchant for violence.
While the characters might at first seem one-dimensional, there are some nice touches throughout that flesh them out more fully. For example, we see glimpses of Joe’s unhappy home life with his nagging wife and unappreciative kids. Meanwhile, Gus’s schemes are motivated by his desire to provide for his family back home.
The Plot
The plot is fairly straightforward, revolving around Joe and Gus’s misadventures as they try to avoid the wrath of the mob. However, there are enough twists and turns to keep things interesting. The film also features some great set pieces, such as when Joe and Gus find themselves stranded on a tiny island with nothing but a cooler full of beer to sustain them.
In many ways, Gone Fishin’ is a throwback to classic comedies from the 1940s and 1950s, with its emphasis on slapstick humor and cartoonishly exaggerated characters. It’s not the deepest or most thought-provoking film you’ll ever see, but it’s an entertaining romp through Florida’s swamps and waterways that will leave you with a smile on your face.
The History of the Film
Gone Fishin’ was directed by Christopher Cain, who had previously helmed Young Guns and Pure Country. The film was released in May 1997 to mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike.
While it didn’t exactly set the box office on fire (it grossed just over $19 million against a budget of $53 million), Gone Fishin’ has developed something of a cult following over the years. Some fans appreciate it for its light-hearted humor and charming performances, while others consider it a guilty pleasure that they can’t help but love.
The Score and Popularity
The score for Gone Fishin’ was composed by Randy Edelman, who is perhaps best known for his work on films like Dragonheart and The Mask. The music is unobtrusive but effective, complementing the action without ever overwhelming it.
As mentioned earlier, Gone Fishin’ didn’t exactly set the world on fire upon its release. However, it has since gained a certain level of popularity as a cult classic. It’s the kind of film that you might catch on cable TV late at night and find yourself getting sucked into despite yourself.
The Evaluation
Overall, I have mixed feelings about Gone Fishin’. On the one hand, I found it to be an enjoyable and entertaining film. Joe Pesci and Danny Glover make a great comedic duo, and there are some genuinely funny moments sprinkled throughout.
However, there were also times when I found myself cringing at some of the more slapstick-heavy sequences. The film relies heavily on physical humor, which can be hit-or-miss depending on your tastes.
All in all, I would say that Gone Fishin’ is worth checking out if you’re in the mood for a light-hearted comedy with a bit of action thrown in. It’s not going to change your life, but it might just make you laugh.
The Cinematography
The cinematography in Gone Fishin’ is solid if unspectacular. There are some beautiful shots of Florida’s waterways and marshes, but overall the film doesn’t do anything particularly innovative or groundbreaking from a visual standpoint.
That being said, the filmmakers do a good job of capturing the film’s comedic tone through their use of camera angles and framing. There’s a certain flatness to many of the shots that echoes the cartoonish quality of the characters and situations.
The Soundtrack
Gone Fishin”s soundtrack is unremarkable but effective. There are some fun nods to classic rock songs from acts like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Creedence Clearwater Revival that help set the mood for this Southern-fried adventure.
One standout track is “Gator Country” by Molly Hatchet, which plays during a particularly memorable chase scene involving Joe, Gus, and an angry alligator. The song’s twangy guitar riffs and high-energy tempo perfectly capture the film’s goofy sense of humor.
The Special Effects
Given that Gone Fishin’ is a comedy and not an action blockbuster, there aren’t a ton of special effects to speak of. That being said, there are some solid practical effects used throughout the film to bring its more outlandish moments to life.
For example, there’s a scene where Joe accidentally gets his foot caught in a fishing line and is dragged behind Gus’s boat at breakneck speed. The effect is achieved through careful editing and stunt work, but it looks convincing enough to sell the joke.
The Dialogue
Gone Fishin”s dialogue is sharp and snappy, with plenty of clever one-liners and zingers flying back and forth between Joe and Gus. There are some great exchanges between the two men that highlight their contrasting personalities.
For example, when they first arrive in Florida, Joe asks Gus what he thinks about their surroundings. Gus responds with “Ivan Boesky couldn’t afford this place,” to which Joe retorts “Who’s Ivan Boesky?” It’s a small exchange but it perfectly encapsulates the differences between the two men.
The Crew
Gone Fishin’ was produced by Roger Birnbaum under Hollywood Pictures. The screenplay was written by Jill Mazursky (daughter of Paul Mazursky) and J.J. Abrams (before he became famous for Lost and Star Wars), based on an original story by Fred Freeman and Lawrence J. Cohen.
The crew does a solid job of bringing the film’s comedic vision to life, particularly director Christopher Cain. While it’s not his best work (that would probably be Pure Country), he manages to keep things moving and injects plenty of energy into the proceedings.
The Criticism
Gone Fishin’ has not been without its share of criticism over the years. Many reviewers at the time of its release found fault with the film’s reliance on slapstick humor and cartoonish characters. The plot was also criticized for being overly simplistic and predictable.
Others took issue with what they saw as the film’s regressive gender roles and tired racial stereotypes. While it’s true that there are some cringe-worthy moments in that regard (such as when Joe uses a “Voodoo” doll to try to thwart Dekker), I don’t think it’s fair to write off the entire film based on those flaws.
The Production
Gone Fishin’ was filmed on location in various parts of Florida, including Apalachicola, Crystal River, and Homosassa Springs. The production had to deal with some unforeseen challenges along the way, such as when a hurricane hit during filming, causing extensive damage to some sets.
Despite these setbacks, however, the production managed to stay on track thanks in no small part to the hard work of its cast and crew. There’s a sense of camaraderie evident throughout the film that speaks to the positive working environment that must have existed behind the scenes.
The Opinion
Personally, I enjoyed Gone Fishin’ more than I expected to. While it’s certainly not perfect – some of the humor falls flat and there are some problematic elements – I found myself laughing out loud more than once during my viewing.
What really resonated with me was the friendship between Joe and Gus. Despite their differences, they genuinely care for each other and have each other’s backs no matter what. There’s something heartwarming about that sort of bond, and it helped to elevate the film above some of its more shallow moments.
The Analysis
From an analytical standpoint, Gone Fishin’ is an interesting example of the buddy comedy genre. It follows many of the same beats as films like Planes, Trains, and Automobiles or Dumb and Dumber, with two mismatched characters getting into all sorts of trouble together.
However, what sets Gone Fishin’ apart is its focus on physical humor rather than snappy dialogue or witty banter. This makes it a more visually-driven film than its peers, with lots of slapstick gags and exaggerated reactions.
The Gossip
While there isn’t much in the way of juicy gossip surrounding Gone Fishin’, there are a few interesting tidbits worth mentioning. For example, actress Rosanna Arquette was initially hesitant to take on her role as Rita due to concerns over how sexualized the character was.
Additionally, director Christopher Cain revealed in an interview that he cast Danny Glover specifically because he wanted to subvert audience expectations; Glover wasn’t known for doing comedic roles at the time, so Cain thought it would be fun to see him in a more lighthearted role.
The Conclusion
All in all, I would say that Gone Fishin’ is a fun and entertaining film that’s worth checking out if you’re in the mood for some light-hearted humor. While it might not be everyone’s cup of tea – particularly if you’re not a fan of physical comedy – there’s enough here to make it worth your time.
Whether you’re a fan of Joe Pesci and Danny Glover, or just looking for a silly comedy to watch on a lazy afternoon, give Gone Fishin’ a chance. Who knows, you might just catch something special.