The Fisher King

I have never been a Terry Gilliam groupie. Yes, he is visually inventive, and thanks to his days with Monty Python, has a unique understanding of comedy, but I have never been able to really engage with any of his films. But finally, with The Fisher King Gilliam makes his most human film that at times almost reaches greatness. The opening scenes show bad ass D.J., Jeff Bridges, telling his listeners that they're losers and that mankind is basically screwed. The next day on the news, he sees a story about one of his listeners (who had called in) had taken a shotgun to a cafe and blew away the patrons because of what Bridges said to him on the air. This leads him into an alcoholic depression which eventually causes him to meet Robin Williams, a delusional homeless man who thinks he's an Arthurian knight on a quest for the Holy Grail. He is the holy fool -- a man who may be crazy, but may be right. It turns into a story of friendship and redemption all complimented by Gilliam's visuals, some strong performances, and an excellent comedic sense. It touches you on a human level and almost dares you to care, but unfortunately never quite reaches the transcendence that it strives for.