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Like a Fish Out of Water

Name: Like a Fish Out of Water
Director: Hervé Hadmar
Released: 1999
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

3.6/10

Limited

1999

Director

Hervé Hadmar

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Like a Fish Out of Water is a genre-driven crime caper that emphasizes traditional storytelling techniques. The film relies heavily on established clichés, such as the femme fatale, to propel the plot forward. While the female lead plays a significant role, the narrative stays within conventional boundaries. The casting and themes reflect a predominantly European focus typical of late 1990s crime thrillers. Ultimately, the film adheres to traditional cinematic norms without challenging social hierarchies or prioritizing diverse representation.

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Category Breakdown

Does Like a Fish Out of Water have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film focuses on traditional romantic and criminal dynamics without addressing non-traditional gender identities or critiques of straight relationships.

How does Like a Fish Out of Water portray gender?

Fair

The movie uses the femme fatale archetype to give the female lead significant influence over the plot. She drives the criminal enterprise alongside the male characters.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Like a Fish Out of Water?

Limited

The production features a mostly European cast with little diversity in race or ethnicity.

How does Like a Fish Out of Water represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story explores themes of greed and deception through a con man framework, emphasizing individual actions over societal or cultural norms.

Does Like a Fish Out of Water include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no information about the inclusion or portrayal of characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

The femme fatale archetype gives the female lead significant influence over the plot.
The narrative uses a compelling con man framework to explore individualistic gain and situational ethics.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks racial and ethnic diversity, featuring a homogeneous European cast.
There is no visible representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-traditional gender characters.
The production does not include any characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Official Synopsis

A seductive femme fatale (Monica Bellucci) and two con men -- one cool as ice, and one who just likes to "ice" his victims -- enlist a mild-mannered, unsuspecting man in their mission to steal a rare and valuable fish. They plan to sell it back to its grieving owner at an enormous profit (talk about "sleeping with the fishes!"). Tcheky Karyo, Michel Muller and Dominique Pinon co-star.

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