Shooting Fish (1997) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A tale of two con-artist orphans who team up with a medical student to pull off elaborate heists and ultimately find their true home.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Orphans and the Gas Holder

Dylan and Jez, two orphaned con artists, live frugally in a disused gas holder while targeting the wealthy. Their partnership is built on a shared childhood dream of owning a stately home.

Key Events

• Orphans Unite — Two orphans meet and vow to live in a stately home. Characters: Dylan, Jez Location: Disused gas holder
• Gas Holder Life — They live frugally and plan their cons against the upper class. Characters: Dylan, Jez Location: Disused gas holder
• The Con Begins — The duo executes a con targeting wealthy individuals. Characters: Dylan, Jez Location: Upper class venue

The Mark and the Mistake

The duo encounters Georgie, a medical student, and successfully pitches themselves as modern Robin Hoods. Their elaborate con goes wrong, resulting in arrest and the shocking news that their stolen money is being recalled by the bank.

Key Events

• The Con Begins — The duo executes a con targeting wealthy individuals. Characters: Dylan, Jez Location: Upper class venue
• Meeting Georgie — They encounter Georgie, a medical student who can type. Characters: Dylan, Jez, Georgie Location: Con site
• Robin Hood Pitch — They convince Georgie they steal from rich to give to poor. Characters: Dylan, Jez, Georgie Location: Con site
• Con Goes Wrong — A scheme fails, leading to their arrest and imprisonment. Characters: Dylan, Jez Location: Con site
• Bank Recall News — They learn the Royal Bank of England is recalling their stolen notes. Characters: Dylan, Jez Location: Prison cell
• Prison Appeal — Jez contacts Georgie and appeals for her help to escape. Characters: Jez, Georgie Location: Prison
• Royal Bank Recall — The realization that their stolen fortune is being rendered useless. Characters: Dylan, Jez Location: Prison

Cremation and Despair

Georgie secures their compassionate leave under a cremation guise. They retrieve their money hidden in a coffin, only to accidentally have it cremated, plunging them into complete despair.

Key Events

• Prison Appeal — Jez contacts Georgie and appeals for her help to escape. Characters: Jez, Georgie Location: Prison
• Compassionate Leave — Georgie secures their release under the guise of a cremation. Characters: Dylan, Jez, Georgie Location: Prison gate
• Coffin Heist — They sneak out during the ceremony to retrieve hidden money. Characters: Dylan, Jez, Georgie Location: Crematorium
• Cremation Disaster — The money is accidentally sent to be cremated, leaving them despondent. Characters: Dylan, Jez, Georgie Location: Crematorium
• Georgie's Double Con — Georgie reveals she bought the dud horse and orchestrated the retrieval. Characters: Georgie Location: Horse track
• Cremation Guise — Georgie organizes the compassionate leave under a false pretense. Characters: Georgie Location: Prison

The Horse Race Gambit

Georgie reveals her double con involving a dud champion horse. The trio reunites and devises a plan to rig a major race using helium to boost the horse's performance.

Key Events

• Georgie's Double Con — Georgie reveals she bought the dud horse and orchestrated the retrieval. Characters: Georgie Location: Horse track
• Trio Reunited — The guys get out, Georgie comes clean, and they hatch a new plan. Characters: Dylan, Jez, Georgie Location: Prison yard
• Race Plan — They plan to make the horse win a big race to charge stud fees. Characters: Dylan, Jez, Georgie Location: Hideout
• Helium Sabotage — They insert helium into the jockey's outfit to boost the horse. Characters: Dylan, Jez, Georgie Location: Race track
• Horse Victory — The horse romps to victory, securing their financial future. Characters: Dylan, Jez, Georgie Location: Race track

Broke but Homebound

The horse wins, and Georgie sells it back to her ex for a massive profit. The trio uses the funds to save the foundation, realizing their true home was never a building but their bond.

Key Events

• Horse Victory — The horse romps to victory, securing their financial future. Characters: Dylan, Jez, Georgie Location: Race track
• Selling the Horse — Georgie sells the champion horse back to her ex for a profit. Characters: Georgie Location: Track
• Foundation Saved — All three agree to use the proceeds to save the Down syndrome foundation. Characters: Dylan, Jez, Georgie Location: Foundation grounds
• Finding Home — Driving away broke, they realize they have finally found their stately home. Characters: Dylan, Jez, Georgie Location: Car
• Gas Holder Abandoned — The duo leaves their disused gas holder behind for good. Characters: Dylan, Jez Location: Gas holder

Story Breakdown

• Orphan Partnership — Establishes the core duo's background, shared dream, and unconventional lifestyle.
  • Shared Childhood Dream — Dylan and Jez vow to own a stately home.
  • Gas Holder Lifestyle — They live frugally in a disused structure.
  • Upper Class Targeting — Their cons focus on wealthy marks.
• Georgie's Introduction — The mark becomes an ally through deception and shared moral justification.
  • Medical Student Mark — Georgie is initially targeted for her skills.
  • Robin Hood Deception — They frame their crimes as charity.
  • Compassionate Leave Scheme — Georgie helps them escape prison temporarily.
• Prison and Despair — The stakes escalate as their fortune is threatened and their heist fails catastrophically.
  • Con Failure Arrest — A scheme goes wrong, leading to jail.
  • Bank Note Recall — Their stolen money is rendered worthless.
  • Coffin Cremation Disaster — The retrieved money is accidentally burned.
• Georgie's Double Con — Georgie reveals her true motives and orchestrates a new plan involving a racehorse.
  • Horse Purchase Reveal — Georgie bought a dud champion horse.
  • Dud Champion Truth — The horse cannot win on its own.
  • Trio Conspiracy Formation — All three agree to rig the race.
• Race Day Gambit — The execution of the helium sabotage plan to ensure victory.
  • Helium Sabotage Plan — They devise a method to boost the horse.
  • Jockey Outfit Modification — Helium is inserted into the jockey's gear.
  • Victory and Stud Fees — The horse wins, securing massive profits.
• Financial Resolution — The trio liquidates their assets and redirects funds toward a charitable cause.
  • Horse Sale to Ex — Georgie sells the champion back for profit.
  • Foundation Funding Agreement — Proceeds are allocated to save the mansion.
  • Broke but Content Drive — They leave empty-handed but fulfilled.
• Thematic Resolution — The narrative concludes by redefining the original dream and solidifying bonds.
  • Stately Home Realization — They realize home is found in friendship.
  • Brotherhood and Friendship — The trio's bond replaces material wealth.
  • Moral Ambiguity Acceptance — Their cons ultimately serve a noble purpose.

Directed by

Stefan Schwartz

Key Cast

• Dan Futterman — Dylan
• Stuart Townsend — Jez
• Kate Beckinsale — Georgie
• Rowena Cooper — Jez's Teacher
• Scott Charles — Samuel