The Annihilation of Fish

The Annihilation of Fish is one of the tenderest films ever made about finding purpose and love long after one expects to do so.

The movie’s a rom-com at heart, but there is no other one like it.

A tale of two troubled souls who find each other, the movie has become an even stronger tribute to the people (not to mention the art) we so easily push aside.

A modest movie modestly told, “The Annihilation of Fish” sneaks up on you; it’s as stealthy as Fish’s demon and can pack just as powerful a wallop.

It’s also obvious this film is the essence of what makes [director] Charles Burnett’s hold on the American mythos peerless and exceptional.

As an American neorealist, drawn to depict historic spiritual struggle, Burnett just can’t lie, which makes The Annihilation of Fish an awkward presentation of the discordant elements in Hollywood race ideology.

"The new 4K restoration of Charles Burnett’s delightful 1999 late-in-life screwball comedy offers this worthy film a new lease on life, much like its characters...The film’s zany premise gives way to a touching story of two lonely people."

The Annihilation of Fish is a gem of a movie that shows us who we are as humans: strange, funny, sad, and capable of unconditional love if we open ourselves up to it.

Charming as the leads are, my favorite performance in the film comes from Kidder.

“The Annihilation of Fish” is still a sweet, utopian and revolutionary film for the way that it treats older people who may suffer from mental health issues. The story does not rest on making sly fun of them and does not insult its audience