The Annihilation of Fish: A Deeply Human Tale of Loneliness and Connection

The Enigmatic Obediah Johnson

Obediah Johnson, or "Fish" as he’s affectionately known, is a character whose presence is as commanding as it is heartbreakingly vulnerable. Played by the incomparable James Earl Jones, Fish is a Jamaican immigrant living in New York, having spent years in a mental institution. His life takes a dramatic turn when he’s ousted from his group home after a chaotic confrontation with an invisible demon he calls Hank. With a suitcase in hand, Fish embarks on a journey to Los Angeles, a city that promises both hope and disillusionment. Jones’ portrayal of Fish is nothing short of magnificent. His deep, resonant voice, familiar from iconic roles in Star Wars and The Lion King, carries a weight of wisdom and sorrow, anchoring the film in a sense of authenticity and emotional depth.

A Film Ahead of Its Time

The release of The Annihilation of Fish in theaters 26 years after its initial screening is a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by independent filmmakers. Directed by Charles Burnett, a master of nuanced, deeply human storytelling, the film defies easy categorization. Burnett, best known for his landmark film Killer of Sheep (1978), has always been an artist who resists pigeonholing. His work often blends genres, hovering between drama, comedy, and the surreal, making it challenging for audiences and distributors to pin down. The Annihilation of Fish is no exception, its quirky humor and melancholic undertones weaving together in a way that feels both unconventional and profoundly moving.

A Story of Two Outsiders

Fish’s journey in Los Angeles intersects with that of Poinsettia, a loud, flamboyant woman played by Lynn Redgrave. Poinsettia is a force of nature, claiming to be in a relationship with the ghost of Giacomo Puccini and verging on the verge of hysteria. Her character is both fascinating and exhausting, her exaggerated mannerisms and volatile behavior often pushing the boundaries of comedy and pathos. Together, Fish and Poinsettia form an unlikely pair, each carrying their own burdens of loneliness and isolation. Their relationship is tentative and unpredictable, marked by moments of tenderness and misunderstandings.

The Quiet Power of Charles Burnett’s Direction

Charles Burnett’s direction in The Annihilation of Fish is characterized by its subtlety and compassion. He doesn’t force emotions or conclusions but instead allows the story to unfold naturally, giving his characters space to breathe. The film’s setting—a dilapidated apartment building in Los Angeles—serves as a metaphor for the lives of its inhabitants: flawed, worn down, but still holding onto beauty. Burnett’s lens captures the quiet dignity of Fish and the erratic energy of Poinsettia, creating a world that feels both surreal and deeply real.

Performances That Linger

James Earl Jones is the heartbeat of the film, bringing Fish to life with a quiet charisma that grows more compelling as the story progresses. His performance is marked by restraint and vulnerability, revealing a man who has been weathered by life but remains deeply human. Lynn Redgrave, on the other hand, delivers a performance that is both over-the-top and oddly touching. Her portrayal of Poinsettia is a balancing act between comedy and tragedy, capturing the complexity of a woman who is both magnetic and exhausting. Together, Jones and Redgrave create a dynamic that is as unpredictable as it is moving.

A Film About Finding Each Other

At its core, The Annihilation of Fish is a story about connection in the face of isolation. Fish and Poinsettia are outsiders, each grappling with their own demons, literal and metaphorical. Their relationship is messy and imperfect, but it is also a testament to the power of human resilience. Burnett’s film doesn’t offer easy answers or tidy resolutions, but it does offer something far more valuable: a reminder that even in the darkest corners of life, there is the possibility of grace, forgiveness, and love. Twenty-six years after its initial screening, The Annihilation of Fish arrives in theaters as a quiet triumph, a deeply humane film that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.