Greed and lust for power: What subjects could be more timeless -or timely - than these?
Few tales cut to the black heart of the matter swifter or betterthan "The Fisherman and His Wife." The unsettling fairy tale will bebrought to life from 6:35 to 7 tonight when Showtime's superb"Storybook Classics" series presents its latest installment ofeternal tales narrated by celebrities.
The "Fisherman" yarn is spun by Jodie Foster, last year's Oscarwinner as best actress. Foster does a solid but uninspired job ofimpersonating the fisherman and his shrewish, never-satisfied wife.
The story goes like this: A humble fisherman catches anenchanted flounder that can grant any wish. To his greedy wife'sconsternation, the fisherman throws the flounder back. So the wickedwife forces her husband to go back to the sea time and again,petitioning the magic fish for ever-larger homes and kingdoms. Theyare bestowed - until the supremely henpecked fisherman conveys hiswife's wish to "be like the Lord God." With that, the two are thrustback to the meager hovel where they began.
Such is the reward for her avarice and his cowardice.
Kids will enjoy the simplicity of the allegory; parents willidentify with the message, all too pertinent to life in thesoon-to-be '90s.
One trademark of "Storybook Classics" is the use of fine,original illustrations rather than typical animation. This episodeis illustrated by Diana Bryan, whose artwork is almost too effective:Young children may be put off by its stark, angular quality andsinister feel.
Tonight's presentation is part of Showtime's new "Familytime"programming, which runs from 5 to 7 p.m. weekdays and 7 a.m. to 11a.m. Sundays. The cable channel recently added "T.G.I.Familytime"("Thank Goodness, It's Familytime,") which offers wholesome showspresented with no interruptions, specifically aimed at those who liketo tape for later viewing.
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