Shooting Fish 1998
Directed by
Stefan Schwartz
Made by
Fox Searchlight Pictures
Shooting Fish Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Shooting Fish (1998). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
In a fateful reunion, two charming orphans, Dylan and Jez, find themselves back together in adulthood, reigniting their childhood dream of living in a luxurious estate. To bring this vision to life, they set up home in an abandoned gas holder, scrimping on resources while cleverly swindling the wealthy out of their fortunes. Their mischievous antics draw the attention of Georgie, a bright medical student known for her exceptional typing skills.
As Georgie delves deeper into their world, she uncovers the truth about the duo’s con artist lifestyle. Despite this revelation, they play the role of modern-day Robin Hoods, taking from the rich and giving to the less fortunate. However, their luck takes a sharp downturn when one of their scams backfires, leading to their incarceration. Confined behind bars, they discover that their hard-earned wealth is on the verge of becoming worthless due to the Royal Bank of England’s decision to recall their notes.
Refusing to accept defeat, Jez and Dylan hatch a brilliant plan to escape from prison and reclaim their stolen money. They enlist Georgie’s help, unbeknownst to her own urgent need to raise funds for the mansion that houses a Down syndrome foundation where her brother is cared for. Under the pretext of attending a family funeral, the trio devises a daring escape during the ceremony to recover their cash.
Their plan appears to have worked for a moment, only to be thwarted by fate when they mistakenly send the stolen money to be cremated with them. Once again, they face despair as they return to prison. Nevertheless, with determination, Georgie retrieves the funds and uses them to buy a champion horse from her ex-husband, only to find that the horse is far from a winner.
Upon their release, Georgie reveals her findings, and Jez and Dylan brainstorm another scheme: they plan to utilize the underwhelming horse as a ticket to glory in a major race, allowing them to charge stud fees afterward. To everyone’s surprise, their strategy works when the horse triumphs, thanks to some creative helium-filled jockey outfits that give it a delightful lift.
With Georgie set to sell the champion horse back to her ex-husband, the trio is determined to use the gains to save the Down syndrome foundation. As they drive towards the foundation amidst their financial struggles, Jez and Dylan come to a heartfelt realization: they may have achieved their dream of a grand estate, but in a wonderfully unconventional way that seals their bond and purpose.
Shooting Fish Timeline
Follow the complete movie timeline of Shooting Fish (1998) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Fateful Reunion
Dylan and Jez, two charming orphans, reconnect in adulthood after years apart. Their reunion ignites a shared dream of living in a luxurious estate, setting the stage for their upcoming misadventures.
Making a Home
With limited resources, Dylan and Jez take refuge in an abandoned gas holder. They cleverly navigate their financial struggles while devising schemes to swindle wealthy individuals out of their fortunes.
Georgie's Introduction
Georgie, a bright medical student with exceptional typing skills, becomes intrigued by Dylan and Jez's world. Her curiosity leads her deeper into their con artist lifestyle, sparking a complex relationship.
Playing Modern-Day Robin Hoods
Despite Georgie's discovery of their schemes, Dylan and Jez embrace their roles as modern-day Robin Hoods. They continue to deceive the wealthy, redistributing their gains to those in need.
Downturn in Luck
The duo's luck takes a turn when one of their scams goes awry, resulting in their arrest. Their incarceration serves as a pivotal moment, forcing them to confront their reckless lifestyle.
Wealth Devaluation
While in prison, Dylan and Jez learn that the Royal Bank of England is recalling their notes, rendering their ill-gotten wealth virtually worthless. This news adds urgency to their next move for freedom.
Escape Plan
Determined to reclaim their money, Dylan and Jez hatch a plan to escape from prison. They enlist Georgie's reluctant help, unaware of her own financial struggles tied to her brother's care.
Daring Funeral Escape
The trio attends a family funeral as part of their elaborate escape plan. During the ceremony, they execute their daring plot, hoping to recover their stolen cash without drawing suspicion.
Mistaken Cremation
Tragically, their escape is compromised when the stolen money is inadvertently sent to be cremated with them. This mistake leads to despair as they find themselves back in prison.
Georgie's Determination
Despite their setbacks, Georgie refuses to give up. She manages to retrieve the forfeited funds, using them to buy a champion horse from her ex-husband, hoping this will lead to their salvation.
Unlikely Champion
After purchasing the horse, Georgie discovers that it is far from a winner. This moment adds a comedic twist to their plans, but it also ignites the spark for a new scheme.
New Racing Scheme
Upon release, Dylan and Jez brainstorm a new plan involving the underwhelming horse. They aim to enter it into a major race, hoping that it can win and ultimately propel them to financial success.
Creative Jockeys
In a surprising turn, the horse triumphs due to the creative use of helium-filled jockey outfits. This unconventional strategy becomes the talk of the town and solidifies their newfound fame.
Saving the Foundation
With victory in hand, Georgie plans to sell the champion horse back to her ex-husband. The trio's aim is to use the profits to benefit the Down syndrome foundation that cares for Georgie's brother.
Heartfelt Realization
As they drive towards the foundation amidst financial woes, Jez and Dylan affectionately reflect on their unconventional journey. They realize they have fulfilled their dream not just of a grand estate, but of deepening their bond and purpose.
Shooting Fish Characters
Explore all characters from Shooting Fish (1998). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
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.
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.
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.
Shooting Fish Settings
Learn where and when Shooting Fish (1998) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
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.
Shooting Fish Themes
Discover the main themes in Shooting Fish (1998). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
💰
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.
Shooting Fish Spoiler-Free Summary
Discover the spoiler-free summary of Shooting Fish (1998). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
In a city where cleverness feels as common as the rain, two charismatic con artists drift through the underbelly of high society with a swagger that turns every scam into a sort of performance art. Their lives have been shaped by a shared childhood dream of grandeur, and now they navigate abandoned warehouses and upscale parties with equal ease, always searching for the next elegant ruse. The atmosphere is a glossy blend of humor and tension, where clever dialogue and mischievous charm keep the audience guessing whether the next move is a genuine gesture or another calculated play.
When they encounter Georgie, a bright‑minded medical student whose talent for typing is matched only by her earnest idealism, the dynamic shifts. Unaware that she has become a pawn in their elaborate scheme, she is drawn into their world by a mixture of curiosity and the promise of adventure. Georgie brings a fresh, almost naive perspective that both softens and sharpens the duo’s edge, creating a delicate balance between exploitation and unexpected affection. Their interactions are laced with witty banter, lingering glances, and a growing sense that the lines between deception and genuine connection are increasingly blurred.
As the trio moves deeper into a tangled web of lies, desire, and ambition, the tone remains playfully sophisticated, hinting at deeper stakes beneath the surface glitz. The film invites viewers to watch how trust is negotiated in a world where every smile might mask a scheme, and where the characters must decide whether love can truly coexist with the art of the con. The stage is set for a story that feels part caper, part romance, and wholly an exploration of how far people will go to fulfill a shared dream.
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