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Shooting Fish (1998) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Shooting Fish (1998) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
1998 · 103 min · English
JustWatch #29,523 1
Directed by
Stefan Schwartz
Starring
Kate Beckinsale, Dan Futterman, Stuart Townsend

Two charismatic con artists recruit a medical student, unaware she’s become a pawn in their elaborate scheme. They exploit her innocence to execute a clever heist, but as they delve deeper into their plan, the lines between deception and genuine connection become increasingly blurred. The trio must navigate a complicated network of lies and desire while trying to outwit those they’ve targeted.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Shooting Fish
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Shooting Fish (1998)

Where can you watch Shooting Fish? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on fuboTV, Hoopla and DistroTV: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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3 main characters · contains spoilers

Shooting Fish Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Shooting Fish (1998), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Dylan (Dan Futterman)

    Dylan embodies charm and resourcefulness, driven by his past and his friendship with Jez. Despite his questionable choices, his heart remains in the right place as he strives to fulfill their childhood dreams.

    • 🌟 Charismatic
    • 🏃‍♂️ Resourceful
    • 👨‍👦‍👦 Loyal
  • Jez (Stuart Townsend)

    Jez is adventurous and cunning, often taking the lead in their schemes. His playful nature hides a deeper vulnerability as he grapples with the consequences of their actions, driven by a longing for belonging.

    • 🎩 Clever
    • 🏴‍♂️ Adventurous
    • 💔 Vulnerable
  • Georgie (Kate Beckinsale)

    Georgie is intelligent and ambitious, eager to make a difference for her brother and others in need. As she finds herself drawn into Dylan and Jez's world, she balances her aspirations with the realities of their questionable activities.

    • 👩‍⚕️ Compassionate
    • 📖 Smart
    • 🕵️‍♀️ Resourceful

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:13

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Setting

Where and When Does Shooting Fish Take Place?

The setting of Shooting Fish (1998): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The film reflects contemporary themes and practices related to urban living, crime, and unconventional family dynamics. The characters' motivations and actions resonate with a modern audience facing social and economic challenges.

Location

Abandoned Gas Holder, Royal Bank of England

The abandoned gas holder serves as a makeshift home for the main characters, symbolizing their resourcefulness and dreams of luxury. The Royal Bank of England, a critical institution in the plot, adds a layer of tension as a financial authority that impacts the characters' schemes.

  • 🏚️ Abandoned
  • 🇬🇧 England

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:13

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3 major themes

Shooting Fish Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Shooting Fish (1998) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Deception

    Deception is central to the characters’ lives as they swindle the wealthy to fund their dreams. This theme explores the moral complexity of their actions and how they rationalize their scams as acts of rebellion against societal norms.

  • Friendship

    The enduring friendship between Jez and Dylan showcases loyalty and camaraderie in the face of adversity. Their bond strengthens as they navigate challenges together, illuminating the importance of support in pursuing dreams.

  • Redemption

    The quest for redemption is illustrated through the characters’ efforts to save the Down syndrome foundation. Their journey emphasizes that achieving personal goals can also mean making positive contributions to the community.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:13

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Character & theme questions

Shooting Fish Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Shooting Fish (1998): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is Shooting Fish set?

Shooting Fish is set in England. The story takes place primarily in an abandoned gas holder that serves as the makeshift home for the main characters, with key scenes also occurring at the Royal Bank of England, which plays a central role in their scheme.

  • england setting
  • abandoned gas holder
  • royal bank of england
  • location
Q2

What does the abandoned gas holder represent in the film?

The abandoned gas holder symbolizes the characters' resourceful nature and their aspirations for a better life. It serves as their unconventional home base, reflecting their status as outsiders living on the margins while dreaming of luxury and belonging.

  • abandoned gas holder symbolism
  • homeless
  • dreams
  • resourcefulness
Q3

What time period does Shooting Fish take place in?

The film is set in the contemporary era, reflecting modern themes related to urban living, crime, and unconventional family dynamics. The 1990s setting resonates with audiences facing social and economic challenges of the time.

  • 1990s
  • contemporary
  • modern era
  • time period
Q4

What are the main themes in Shooting Fish?

The three main themes are deception, friendship, and redemption. Deception drives the characters' con artist lifestyle as they swindle the wealthy. Friendship showcases the loyalty between the main characters. Redemption emerges through their efforts to help others, particularly the Down syndrome foundation.

  • deception
  • friendship
  • redemption
  • themes
  • meaning
Q5

How does deception function in Shooting Fish?

Deception is central to the characters' lives as they use their charms and cleverness to swindle wealthy targets. The film explores the moral complexity of their actions, presenting their scams as a form of rebellion against societal norms rather than pure greed.

  • con artists
  • scams
  • moral complexity
  • rebellion
Q6

Who are the main characters in Shooting Fish?

The three main characters are Dylan, Jez, and Georgie. Dylan is the charming, resourceful leader driven by past experiences and loyalty to Jez. Jez is the adventurous, cunning schemer with a playful exterior masking deeper vulnerability. Georgie is the intelligent medical student who becomes drawn into their world while seeking to help her brother and others.

  • dylan
  • jez
  • georgie
  • main characters
  • cast
Q7

What defines the friendship between Dylan and Jez?

The friendship between Dylan and Jez is defined by unwavering loyalty and shared childhood dreams. Their bond strengthens as they navigate challenges together, demonstrating the importance of having a support system while pursuing their goals. Their partnership is the emotional core of the film.

  • dylan
  • jez
  • friendship
  • loyalty
  • bond
  • partnership
Q8

What genre is Shooting Fish?

Shooting Fish is a crime comedy with romantic elements. The film blends the heist and con artist narrative with lighthearted humor and a subtle romantic thread between the characters, creating an entertaining and accessible story.

  • comedy
  • crime
  • romance
  • genre
Q9

What is the tone of Shooting Fish?

The tone is predominantly whimsical and light. The film features playful, Robin Hood-like cons and imaginative schemes like the helium-filled jockey outfits. Even serious obstacles like incarceration are treated as temporary setbacks in a grand adventure, resulting in a consistently cheerful atmosphere.

  • whimsical
  • tone
  • lighthearted
  • humor
  • mood
Q10

What message does Shooting Fish convey about found family?

Shooting Fish conveys that family is defined by loyalty and connection rather than blood ties. The trio forms a found family through their shared dreams and experiences, proving that meaningful relationships can emerge from unconventional circumstances.

  • found family
  • message
  • meaning
  • relationships

Movie threads

More Movies Like Shooting Fish, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Shooting Fish tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies with clever cons and charismatic outlaws like Shooting Fish

Charismatic outlaws pull clever heists that target the rich and corrupt. For fans of Shooting Fish, this thread gathers movies featuring charismatic con artists and elaborate heists. If you liked the playful schemes and Robin Hood flair of Shooting Fish, you'll enjoy these stories of mischievous underdogs outsmarting their targets with wit and style.

  • charismatic
  • mischievous
  • resourceful
  • playful
  • clever
  • hopeful
  • Tone: whimsical, mischievous, hopeful
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically involve a team of likable outsiders planning and executing a clever, often whimsical, con or heist. The narrative is driven by the intricate planning and execution of the scheme, with obstacles arising from rival criminals or authorities. The central conflict is less about violence and more about outsmarting the opposition, culminating in a successful and satisfying payoff.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here based on their shared focus on clever, non-violent crime, charismatic protagonist teams, and a lighthearted tone that celebrates the 'art of the con'. They deliver a sense of playful escapism where intelligence and teamwork triumph.

Fast-paced and playful heist movies similar to Shooting Fish

Energetic and imaginative capers where the fun is in the execution. This collection features lighthearted, fast-paced capers similar to Shooting Fish. If you enjoyed the imaginative helium-balloon escape and the energetic horse-racing scheme, you'll find more movies here that celebrate clever plans and a whimsical, fun-loving approach to the heist genre.

  • whimsical
  • fast-paced
  • playful
  • imaginative
  • lighthearted
  • clever
  • Tone: whimsical, lighthearted, playful
  • Pacing: fast, snappy
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern revolves around a central, elaborate scheme that is broken down into a series of inventive steps. The pacing is quick, moving from one stage of the plan to the next with minimal downtime. Setbacks are treated as temporary hurdles to be overcome with even more creativity, maintaining a consistently upbeat and optimistic rhythm throughout the film.

Why they belong together: These films share a specific blend of tone and pacing: a whimsical approach to crime, a fast-moving plot driven by inventive set pieces, and a light emotional weight that makes the adventure feel like a delightful game rather than a high-stakes danger.

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Movies Like Shooting Fish

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Every angle

Shooting Fish (1998) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Shooting Fish in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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