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| Photo credit: Elisabeth Rose |
One of the things that always makes me laugh in movies is someone inadvertently wandering on stage during a dance routine who doesn't know the steps but tries valiantly to keep up and fit in. That's probably why the fish out of water trope appeals to me in a story, it lends itself so well to comedy.
I couldn't find a sample of exactly what I wanted, but here's the fabulous Cyd Charisse in Meet Me in Las Vegas. The relevant part starts at about 1.30 if you don't want to watch the whole scene:
Video clip credit: https://www.youtube.com
Of course Cyd Charisse is a wonderful dancer, but you get the idea.
In this trope we put our character in a situation where everyone else knows the routine and after a bit of a struggle to fit in, hidden strengths and talents can emerge. It's tailor- made for a heroine to grow which is another reason I like it. Often it's a city to country shift, but remember The Beverley Hillbillies? A whole shoal of fish out of water there!
I laughed most of the way through this story and was able to use a pile of anecdotes and characters from my own childhood growing up on a farm.
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| Photo credit: Elisabeth Rose |
Trouble in Nirvana is available in ebook or paperback through the Wild Rose Press here or through Amazon here.
Hi Elizabeth. I love fish out of water stories and have one on the boil myself. As for favourites I think the first that comes to mind is Jane Eyre and then Outlander. Both have the heroine experiencing life as they have never known it.Comedy wise I can think of It Had To Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.
ReplyDeleteGreat examples, Cassandra. What's your heroine doing?
DeleteIt's actually my hero who is the fish out of water. A reverse Greenacres, you might say. ;-)
DeleteHi, Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteI must admit...I cringe at fish out of water stories, probably because I can relate so well. I cant think of a favourite fow book atm but I know there are many. Movie-wise I just keep thinking of anything with Hugh Grant and Sandre Bullock (The Proposal; Miss Congeniality; The Heat).
The Heat was on TV last night! Very funny and you're right. Sandra Bullock has done a few movies like that. She has a great comedic sense.
DeleteHi Elisabeth! Fish out of water stories are some of my favourites. I love Diana Gabaldon's Crosstitch and also Karen Marie Moning's Highlander series. Movies like Enchanted and Legally Blonde really appeal, too. Loved the clip you included!
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked the clip. I love the way the girl in green shoves Cyd off stage and keeps on dancing but she pops right back up again.
DeleteHi Elisabeth, I loved the movie Pretty Woman. I think it is the ultimate fish out of water story with strong growth on the part of the hero and heroine.
ReplyDeleteHi Elisabeth. Pretty Woman is my all time favourite romantic movie and it is a great example of a fow story. And While You Were Waiting is another where the heroine falls into a situation so far from her own experiences.
ReplyDeleteHi Elisabeth. Pretty Woman is my all time favourite romantic movie and it is a great example of a fow story. And While You Were Waiting is another where the heroine falls into a situation so far from her own experiences.
ReplyDeleteSharon and Enisa, I love Pretty Woman too. It's the Pygmalion/My Fair Lady story, isn't it? Eliza Doolittle works so hard at changing herself into an upper class lady but has those hilarious slip ups. Same scenes-- Eliza at Ascot races yelling 'Move yer flamin' arse' at the racehorse and Vivian yelling out at the polo.
ReplyDeleteI spent yesterday thinking about my favourite fish out of water story, and I've decided on Linda Howard's 'Duncan's Bride': an arranged marriage, and she is a city girl who makes the move to a ranch. It's an oldie but a goodie! I think it's such a universal theme we can all relate. We've all had moments when we've been that fish! Thanks for such a great post.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to look for Duncan's Bride, Malvina. It's fun seeing the suggestions for reading and viewing.
ReplyDelete