The Fishing Game

Author(s): Chris
Location: New Hampshire

“The Fishing Game"

Directed By: Stephen Frears
Written By: Eric Roth
Music By: Hans Zimmer

Principal Cast:

Arthur Castaglo: Nick Nolte
Joan Castaglo: Patricia Clarkson
James Ranan: James Woods
April Ranan: Catherine Keener

Tagline: “Fish live deep in the ocean, these men will go deeper than that to win"

Synopsis: Arthur Castaglo and James Ranan are the most successful fishermen in the state of Maine. They each have two children, large homes, and beautiful wives. Joan Castaglo is working woman, who thinks that fishing has disturbed her husband’s life, and their marriage. April on the other hand, is too busy to look at her children, or her husband for that matter, because for the past three years she has been working on a book about blue-collar socialism, in which she has been on page 47, for ten years. Ever since April was young, she was focused on marrying a rich man, and she did, however passing herself off as socialite with fisherman husband has always been hard, so she decided to write a book about it. Joan tries to keep her business out of the red, while her husband goes off every day and enjoys himself.

Every year in August, there is a huge fishing contest in the town that James and Arthur live in. For the past fifteen years, James has come out the champion and Arthur comes in second. The thing that needs to be understood here, is that a $450,000 prize is given out to the winner. This and a few sales to restaurants are how James makes his fortune, while Arthur makes a steady income throughout the year (this includes sales on ice fishing). But, when April reaches page 48 in her book, things fall out of synch, and Arthur takes home the prize, James is left with barley any money. When his wife finds out about the bad fortune, she threatens to leave him, and take the children with her. James claims he will do anything to win his wife, and the money back. He says he would even kill. Meanwhile, in hopes to settle his marriage, Arthur gives the $450,000 dollar prize to his wife, for her now blooming business. Joan finds death notes in her bedroom and office, and reports them to the police. The track the handwriting to Ranan, and he is immediately arrested. Even from prison Joan is haunted by him, because he sends henchmen to kill the entire Castaglo family. This is when Arthur and Joan struggle for dear life.

What the press would say:

Stephen Frears the director of such highly-regarded films like The Grifters, Mrs. Henderson Presents and The Queen brings life to the screen again in The Fishing Game. The director known for directing women extraordinarily well, directs men equally as well in this film. Nolte gives his most powerful performance since The Price of Tides, and Woods uses the same quick wit and prowess that he uses in CBS’ “Shark”. The Women also perform well, with Clarkson out acting her Oscar nominated turn in Pieces of April. Keener matches both her nominated performances as a neurotic housewife on the brink of stardom. Overall, this film is filled with power house performances and is sure to get nominated for these awards come Oscar time:

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Actor-James Woods
Best Actor-Nick Nolte
Best Actress-Patricia Clarkson
Best Supporting Actress-Catherine Kenner
Best Original Score
Best Cinematography
Best Original Screenplay