Tweekums This is the tale or two orphans with ambitions; as children geeky Jez dreamt of living in a stately home and brash American Dylan was already thinking of ways to make money. When they get together it looks as if they might just accomplish their dreams. Their methods are less then legal though as they plot to scam the wealthy out of their money. To help with one of their scams they employ the beautiful Georgie as their secretary; inevitably she quickly realises they are conmen but falls for their story about raising money for a home for orphans… to be fair it is true but she doesn't realise the orphans concerned are Jez and Dylan. Inevitably the two of them eventually caught and while inside they learn that all £50 notes are being recalled and their ill-gotten gains will be worthless… they will have to trust Georgie with the money… not realising that she has a pressing need for two million pounds; just what they have!I first saw this film years ago and couldn't remember much about it but vaguely recall enjoining it so decided to buy the DVD when I saw it at a bargain price. I'm glad I did as it was a lot of fun; it may be silly in places and the ending is overly sentimental but there are some laugh out loud moments along the way… the inflatable dolls in the crematorium were priceless!!! Dan Futterman and Stuart Townsend do fine jobs as Dylan and Jez and Kate Beckinsale is a delight as Georgie. The rest of the cast features quite a few well known British actors; including the new Doctor Who Peter Capaldi in a small roll. I like the fact that the creators didn't feel that just because it is set in London they would have to show all the landmarks that so many films do. Overall this film is a lot of fun… I'm glad I decided to watch it again.

fes23 Call me hopelessly sentimental but I actually find this film very touching! Once you totally suspend your disbelief (this is a film, it's kind of expected...) Jez and Dylan really sell the orphans concept. Here you have two lonely, needy, love-starved guys who through hard work, self-denial and sheer determination win themselves a family and a home. How can your heart not melt? The acting by the male leads is strong enough (mostly - the 'why do I have to get so technical?' scene falters a bit) to make you invest emotionally in Dylan and Jez' quest despite the fact that - all soft-heartedness aside - they are two lying, selfish, close to morally bankrupt con-merchants. By the end of the film you'll be cheering them on.What am I saying? By five minutes in you'll be cheering them on! Yes, it's full of clichés. Yes, it's pretty predictable. Yes, it's soppy. But this film proves that you can get away with anything if you have lovable characters and a fantastic soundtrack (see also Ocean's 11). Never fails to cheer me up - I'd recommend it to anyone not entirely hard-boiled.

sveknu I think I have to stop watching English movies. Apart from the James Bond-movies and a small number of comedies, they are usually pure crap. This movie is definitely one of those. The first ten minutes starts out OK, and the movie has potential at this time. Sadly, it doesn't continue in this style at all. The story is about two swindlers who tries to earn a lot of money by tricking people in different ways. None of the ways they do this are funny at all. It's supposed to be a comedy, but personally I didn't laugh one single time during the movie. In addition, the story really sucks, especially because they threw a bit of romance on top of it. Alos, the ending is very bad, and it was just what I had expected because movies like this leave you with no surprises. If you want to see a movie about swindlers, watch "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" instead.

doomdoomdoomtothewholewideworld in response to an earlier post regarding the title of the film, shooting fish is a title derived from the expression, "shooting fish in a barrel", which is meant to signify an easy act. obviously, shooting fish in a barrel is plain daft, as with the first shot you puncture the barrel, causing the water to all leak out anyway. however, you'll notice throughout the film that the characters refer to the people they are conning as 'fat fishes' and 'thin fishes'. dylan and jez only like to take money from those who can spare it, the fat fishes. what these guys do effectively, is shoot fish in a barrel. they set up a con (therefore introducing the fish into the barrel), and the ones that they fancy eating, are then shot, or in this case conned.and not eaten.it's not that kind of film.anyway, hence: shooting fish. wonderful film, any way you choose to look at it.