The Annihilation of Fish

A love story about two people (James Earl Jones and Lynn Redgrave) who end up in the same boarding house (run by Margot Kidder in one of her best performances ever), after being rejected by society and the people whom they have counted on for support. As they fall in love they have to deal with the unusual ways that each of them have created purpose for themselves--the very reasons society has rejected them--while also facing their prejudices about age, race, and sex.

I saw this film at the 2000 USA Film Festival and thoroughly enjoyed it. All the performances are first-rate, as is the cinematography, the script and the music.

This film is unlikely to get wide distribution, due to the fact that it does not feature wet teenagers or loud rock-and-roll, but if you do get the opportunity to see it, do. You'll be glad you did.

If you like James Earl, you will love this film, I loved A Family Thing and this is better, this time we get to see some of his one on one acting. He is great wrestling with a demon, I love the effect when he throws him out the window. I saw this at a film festival and people who saw it just loved it.

If you see this to rent -- rent it, you won't regret it.

Lynn Redgrave is fabulous, she takes the character and runs with it. I see sides of her, I never saw before.

Then there is Margot Kidder and her come back after her battle with mental illness and she is wonderful, it was like the part was meant for her.

This film is one no one hears about but should, I don't know why. It would have a made a great art house movie but I understand it didn't get much play time.

I loved the twists,cultural turns, and surprises in this gem of a movie!

The acting, captured with light and camera placement, brings sensitive, perceptive, directing and story telling thru the removal of a third wall point of view.

In reading your biography of Charles Burnett's career and influences, it is easy to see French film maker Renoir in the compositions of light and dark which Renoir said came to him as if thru a DNA with his Father painter Renoir that he did not realize until much later in his life thru recognizing choices he made in filming.... I loved this movie!

I do think it might be wise to remove in the description of the film that Lynn Redgrave plays a former house wife!

One who has carefully and sensitively listened to the script and her character will hear that her character must be listened to and observed as the movie and it's story unfold It requires listening...much like an August Wilson Play.

In fact James Earl Jones, Lynn Redgrave and even the super numeraties in this movie as well as the plants practice listening on many levels.

Not until the end do we know what has happened all along and at the end.

Such a marvelous film that kept me in the edge of my seat with laughter tears and suspense.

Although some of the film was predictable, I fell in love with the characters and the story. What a great show, too bad it didn't make a theatrical release but well worth watching. Some stuff, you just wouldn't think James Earl Jones would do but very good.

James e jones, lynn redgrave, margot kidder. Two interesting people meet up, later in life. Renting rooms in the same boarding house in san francisco. Each one brings his and her own issues to the relationship. As expected, they start out hating each other. But if they can stand each other... and their idiosynchracies, it might work out! Very cute story. Fun interaction between the landlord and the boarders... similar to tales of the city, kind of like a mother hen. Really well done! Highly recommended. A look at serious issues with some comedy thrown in. Directed by charles burnett. It's a recently restored version on kanopy. Based on the story by jamaican writer anthony winkler.