James Earl Jones’ Lost Comedy Gets a Second Chance on Valentine’s Day

by

Despite the unfortunate passing of the man, it appears that James Earl Jones will make another appearance on the silver screen at least once more. The long-forgotten film titled “The Annihilation of Fish,” a 1999 comedy featuring Jones, has remained unseen until now. Thanks to dedicated restoration efforts and an upcoming theatrical release scheduled for Valentine’s Day this year, it will finally be brought to light.

Back in 1999, the Toronto Film Festival had the misfortune of screening “The Annihilation of Fish,” a film that received such a damning review from Variety that its distributor promptly canceled its theatrical release. If you’re tempted to dismiss this as an overreaction, I implore you to read the full review – it’s littered with biting comments like “The Annihilation of Fish is a minnow of a movie” and “Anthony C. Winkler’s script contains nothing so insignificant that he doesn’t feel compelled to repeat it multiple times.”

For the next three decades, this film was left gathering dust, until the UCLA Festival of Preservation took on the challenge of restoring it and finally premiering this long-lost comedy.

In “The Annihilation of Fish,” Jones shares the lead roles with Lynn Redgrave, a British-American actress. The story unfolds as Poinsettia, a former housewife, and Fish, a Jamaican widower, who’ve recently moved into a Los Angeles boarding house. Both characters have peculiar traits that complicate their lives: Poinsettia converses with the 19th-century composer Giacomo Puccini as if he were real, while Fish has been discharged from a mental institution but continues to grapple with hidden struggles. Remarkably, amidst these challenges, the pair find themselves bonding, discovering love and contentment even in trying circumstances.

The Annihilation of Fish Honors Numerous Hollywood Heroes Who Have Passed On

In future Star Wars projects, we might still catch a glimpse of Jones’ voice, but The Annihilation of Fish could mark the final time he appears on screen. Unfortunately, this isn’t just true for him; some key players who contributed to the film won’t be around to witness its belated release. This is a somber reality that those connected with the movie then and now must confront. When discussing the long road from The Annihilation of Fish’s production to its eventual cinema debut, director Charles Burnett didn’t shy away from acknowledging the efforts of the cast and crew who have passed on. “I regret that Lynn Redgrave isn’t here to receive her recognition for working with us and helping bring this film to fruition,” he said. “The same goes for James Earl Jones, Paul Heller, Tony Winkler, and others who worked tirelessly on the project. They should be celebrating this moment along with us, but I am saddened that they are not.

Undeniably, the relentless work to bring “The Annihilation of Fish” to fruition is undoubtedly a fitting tribute to Jones and his team. This film not only embodies the spirit of the remarkable actor but also the man himself, as it portrays an endless love that overcomes all challenges. In his final theatrical role, Jones displays his trademark wit, vigor, unwavering compassion, and indomitable determination. I can’t imagine a more fitting farewell than successfully realizing “The Annihilation of Fish”.

Read More

2025-01-18 19:02