In this 1991 film, Jeff Bridges plays Jack Lucas, a cynical, arrogant shock jock radio host. He becomes depressed and filled with remorse when a psychotic caller commits multiple murders at a Manhattan bar after listening to his show. A few years later, a suicidal and intoxicated Jack is mistaken for a homeless man and attacked. He is rescued by Parry (played by Robin Williams), a homeless man who is on a mission to find the Holy Grail, and tries to convince Jack to help him. After finding out that the man’s condition is a result of witnessing his wife’s horrific murder at the hands of Jack’s psychotic caller, Jack agrees.
The entire film follows the theme of the Legend of the Fisher King, which Parry seems to be obsessed with. The legend varies, but all versions possess three elements: the Fisher King was instructed by God to guard the Holy Grail, but later incurred some form of incapacitating physical punishment for his sin of pride, and had to wait for someone to deliver him from his suffering. A simpleminded knight named Percival, referred to in the movie as “The Fool,” healed the wounds with kindness to the king, by giving him a cup of water to drink. The king realizes the cup is the grail and is baffled that the boy found it: “I’ve sent my brightest and bravest men to search for this. How did you find it?” The Fool laughed and said “I don’t know. I only knew that you were thirsty.”
Jack seeks to redeem himself and help Parry find the Grail and find love again. Jack sets Parry up with a woman Parry has been smitten with from afar, Lydia, a shy woman who works as an accountant for a Manhattan publishing house. In the end, both the Grail and love are found.
Four-time Oscar nominee Jeff Bridges is the son of well known actor Lloyd Bridges, and grew up on the Hollywood scene. He was in films like Bad Company, King Kong, Cutter’s Way, The Last Unicorn, Kiss Me Goodbye, 8 Million Ways to Die, The Morning After, The Vanishing, Arlington Road, The Muse, Stick It, Iron Man, The Big Lebowski, The Men Who Stare at Goats, and Crazy Heart.
Robin Williams, who plays Parry, needs no introduction. The talented actor and comedian has won an Oscar, Emmy, Golden Globe, American Comedy Award, and many others. His impressive career includes well known movies and shows like Happy Days, Popeye, Mork & Mindy, Dead Poet’s Society, Hook, Jumanji, The Birdcage, Good Will Hunting, Death to Smoochy, Night at the Museum, and August Rush.
On the NYC TV & Movie Tour you will see this fountain which has been featured in numerous movies and TV shows like Gossip Girl, Sex and the City, and Serendipity to name a few. It is also the actual fountain that the Friends fountain was modeled after. Next to the fountain is Grand Army Plaza, where you will see the General Sherman Statue, where the two main characters of The Fisher King meet.
Next, get a look at the Metropolitan Life Insurance North Building where Lydia’s (Amanda Plummer) office building is, and where Parry (Robin Williams) goes to see her every day at noon. The beautiful and famous Grand Central Terminal is also featured on this tour. This is where the ballroom scene took place when Parry spots Lydia and follows her around the terminal.
Take a ride with us and see New York’s most iconic sites, as well as some that are off the beaten path. You’ll re-live your favorite scenes as if you were a part of them.
* In an effort to stay current, we are constantly updating our tours with new locations and cannot guarantee the presence of locations mentioned on our site. If you have a particular interest in locations from a specific TV show or movie, please let your tour guide know and we will do our best to accommodate your request.