UK: "SHOOTING FISH, THE NEW BRITISH COMEDY STARRING KATE BECKINSALE, PREMIERES IN LONDON

Record ID: 387260

  • Title: UK: "SHOOTING FISH, THE NEW BRITISH COMEDY STARRING KATE BECKINSALE, PREMIERES IN LONDON
  • Date: 15th October 1997
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (OCTOBER 15, 1997) (RTV - ACCESS ALL) ( * BEWARE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **) EXTERIOR OF ODEON CINEMA IN WEST END OF LONDON DAN FUTTERMAN AND STUART TOWNSEND POSING FOR PHOTOS KATE BECKINSALE POSING FOR PHOTOS (SOUNDBITE ENGLISH) STUART TOWNSEND SAYING, "IT'S A NICE COMEDY. A LOT OF BRITISH MOVIES ARE ALL GRITTY AND REALISTIC AND THIS IS QUI
  • Embargoed: 30th October 1997 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Reuters ID: LVA3SJHAWCX8GM4HAJIRVP6SUNU9
  • Story Text: The long-awaited comedy, "Shooting Fish" starring British actress Kate Beckinsale, had its British premiere in London on Wednesday (October 15).

    Waiting crowds were thrilled to see the film's three stars Dan Futterman, Stuart Townsend and Beckinsale as theyturned out for the premiere in London's West End.

    But fans were also startled when a group of "megastars" arrived at the premiere, but "Michael Jackson", "Rod Stewart", "Diana Ross", "Pamela Anderson" and "Madonna" were only lookalikes, in keeping with the film's theme of duplicity.

    "Shooting Fish", which was well received at the Cannes film festival earlier this year, is predicted to be such a massive hit that speculators are betting it will beat box office records set by the film "Four Weddings and a Funeral". The Cannes success was repeated at the Edinburgh "Shooting Fish", which was well received at the Cannes film festival earlier this year, is predicted to be such a massive hit that speculators are betting it will beat box office records set by the film "Four Weddings and a Funeral". The Cannes success was repeated at the Edinburgh film festival in August.

    Set in the present day, "Shooting Fish" tells the story of two twenty-something con artists, Dylan (Dan Futterman) and Jez (Stuart Townsend) who are united by their similar backgrounds as orphans.

    Dylan is a smooth-talking American who is a whiz with numbers and is on the run from some unsavoury characters in the States and Jez is an English techno-nerd with no charisma.

    In the film, they are first seen mid-scam attempting to sell a phony voice-recognition computer, aided by Georgie (Kate Beckinsale) who has been hired as a secretary for the job.

    Halfway through the con, Georgie realises that Dylan and Jez aren't the businessman and scientist they seem to be but then neither is she a secretary.

    Georgie is in fact a medical student who is locked into a forthcoming marriage to a twittering aristocrat. But she remains intrigued by the charm of the boys and forms a loose friendship with the duo.

    The newly-formed trio go on to devise further scams which result in Dylan and Jez being thrown in jail and Georgie being called to the rescue.

    British actress Kate Beckinsale is best known for her part in "Cold Comfort Farm" and Dan Futterman may be remembered for his role as Robin Williams' son in "The Birdcage".

    "Shooting Fish" which is written and directed by Stephen Schwarz, takes its name from the phrase "shooting fish in a barrel", meaning it is very easy to con a person.
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