The Fish Can Sing

1973·Movie
2h 47min
69
GoodGoodWatch score

Where to watch

No stream option in US yet.

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

The Fish Can Sing fingerprint

Big heart, strong craft, calm.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension3
  • Adrenaline1
  • Fast Pace1

Heart

Nostalgic and wholesome

Much of it is about growing up and family.

  • Nostalgia9
  • Coming of Age9
  • Wholesome8

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay5
  • Situational Comedy4
  • Satire & Parody4

World

Growing up, history, and family

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout performances, dialogue, and characters

  • Acting8
  • Dialogue Quality8
  • Character Depth8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing6
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensComfort WatchThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Set at the start of the twentieth century, the movie deals with the orphaned boy Álfgrímur, his adoptive grandparents, and the small, tolerant community of misfits and eccentrics they gather around them at Brekkukot, their cottage in Reykjavík. As Álfgrímur begins to encounter the minor politicians, businessmen and social-climbers of the growing town of Reykjavík he starts to question his future as a fisherman's grandson, and is increasingly fascinated by Garðar Hólm, the celebrated Icelandic "world singer" whose sporadic returns to Iceland encourage Álfgrímur to pursue his own personal goals of self-expression. He discovers the true value of his boyhood experiences only as he sets out on a path that will take him away from them forever.
Icelandic NostalgiaGentle Coming-of-AgeWhimsical EccentricsHistorical DramaPoignant MelancholyCommunity & BelongingArtistic AwakeningSlow-Paced IntrospectionCharming Period Piece

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Fish Can Sing

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Fish Can Sing legally?

GoodWatch doesn't know of a legal streaming option for The Fish Can Sing in the United States right now. Pick another country in the Where to Watch section to check elsewhere.

Is The Fish Can Sing worth watching?

69
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 70/100 (IMDb 5.9). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

How long is The Fish Can Sing?

2 h 47 min

The Fish Can Sing runs 2 h 47 min.

Is The Fish Can Sing based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a novel.

What language is The Fish Can Sing in?

Icelandic

It was made in Icelandic. Produced in Sweden, Germany, Iceland, Denmark, Norway.

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