A Fish Called Wanda Review

Messages: There's not really any positive message to be found here, unless it's that love can be found in unexpected places. But that's secondary to the constant double-crossing, lying, stealing, cheating, betraying, and other iffy stuff.

Role models: The characters aren't meant to be admirable, and they fully fulfill that intention. Characters commit crimes, cheat, and lie; some are punished, others aren't. Wanda is a strong female character, but she uses her sexuality to get ahead and shows no qualms about double-crossing whoever it takes to get ahead. A character with a stutter is repeatedly mocked. Archie is a barrister, but he's quick to disregard the law when lust proves stronger than ethics. Otto is violent, short-tempered, and crass.

Violence: Mostly cartoon-ish gunplay, but it sometimes gets a bit brutal. Lots of threats. One character tries to engineer situations in which an old woman will be killed; when the schemes go awry, her dogs pay the price. Some hitting/tackling and rough treatment of characters.

Sex: Simulated sex, with frequent allusions to sexual attraction and arousal. Lots of kissing and making out; in one scene, a male character is shown naked from the rear (he's also shown from the front, but there's a strategically placed object blocking his groin). Infidelity.

Language: Language is strong and colorful ("f--k," "a--hole," "s--t," etc.) but not constant.

Consumerism: Not an issue

Drinking, drugs and smoking: Limited casual drinking and smoking by adults.