Charles Burnett’s The Annihilation of Fish shows two neuro atypical people finding together which feels like a dream. The first person in the pair is the titular character (James Earl Jones), who likes to wrestle literal demons. These wrestling matches cause quite the disruption in the Los Angeles apartment where he just recently moved in. Other people are starting to notice, like Poinsettia (Lynn Redgrave), who has her own delusions about Giacomo Puccini. Despite their awkward first encounter, they develop a friendship and something more, a love bringing good vibes. Cheering them on from the sidelines is Mrs. Muldroone (Margot Kidder), getting over the loss of her off screen husband.

Fish and Poinsettia are probably the most challenging characters whom Jones and Redgrave have quite the privilege of playing. The thing about big swing characters like these is that they don’t make for the most digestible cinema. This non digestible quality is probably why it almost disappeared after its premiere 25 years ago at TIFF. A diverse, younger body of critics, however, discovered something more in a film where James Earl Jones wrestles himself. I can see both sides, for and against the film that also has long scenes with Fish and Poinsettia. Underneath The Annihilation of Fish and its scenes where both play rummy are details evincing a lived tenderness.

The fact that The Annihilation of Fish turns into a romantic comedy is a miracle in itself knowing how these two met. Because of Fish and Poinsettia’s awkward early encounters, she reports him to Mrs. Muldroon like a ‘Karen’ would. An hour into the film, though, she’s making sure he doesn’t choke during one of their romantic dinners in their home. A more modern version of this would never go the romantic route and have these characters in perpetual conflict. However, there’s something interesting in a past perspective when racism doesn’t metastasize into worse things. If anything, when Fish points out their differences, she’s the one telling him that their old age trumps these differences.

The Annihilation of Fish shows a couple that makes sense because of the chemistry between its leads. The film also doesn’t depend on the fireworks that these two cause, as they stand out as individuals. James Earl Jones’ stature meets the demands of a role that is both emotionally and physically demanding. But if I had to choose between the leads, I’d say Redgrave does better in depicting someone neuroatypical. As Poinsettia, she has these moments of clarity that she provides for Fish as well as for Muldroon. Margot Kidder also makes for a great third wheel in a film that shows that every person is complex.

The Annihilation of Fish is available in 4K thanks to Kino Lorber.