The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh

The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh is an unconventional sports comedy-drama released in 1979. The vibrant cinematic production showcases an unusual blend of basketball and astrology, embraced by an era when new age concepts were emerging and popular sports were taking creative spins in film narratives. Set against the backdrop of Pittsburgh, one of America’s iconic cities rich with its steel-making heritage and sporting prowess, the film uses the framework of a struggling basketball team to craft an entertaining and exciting narrative.

In the leading role, one of the greatest professional basketball players ever and member of the NBA Hall of Fame, Julius Erving, known by his fans as Dr. J, channels his on-court charisma and skill into his role as Moses Guthrie. Known for his breathtaking slam dunks and smooth swagger, Erving brings a fresh and energetic authenticity to the depiction of a beleaguered basketball player, imbuing the film with the raw energy of the game itself.

Retaining the pitch-perfect comic timing he was known for, American comedian and actor Jonathan Winters, who plays H.S. Tilson, adds a distinct flair to the movie. His character adds a whole dose of humor and light-heartedness, essential to any sports comedy, keeping the audience engaged and entertained.

Renowned Harlem Globetrotters player, Meadowlark Lemon also stars in this offbeat sports comedy, providing basketball authenticity and seasoned comedic flair to the movie. His presence infuses the film with a touch of reality that only a real basketball star could provide.

The film opens with a down-on-its-luck basketball team which is plagued by losses and crippling defeatism. However, everything changes when ball boy Tyrone Millman (James Bond III) and his unconventional, Astrologer sister Mona (Stockard Channing) come up with a unique solution: rebuilding the entire team around the astrological sign of their only star player, Moses Guthrie.

Assembling a new team that aligns with Guthrie’s star sign Pisces, hence the fish symbolism, the franchise is rechristened, The Pittsburgh Pythons transform into the Pittsburgh Pisces. This Pisces-only team presents a new dynamic, a unique premise that not only fuels the plot but also results in some hilarious escapades and memorable characters.

The warranted skepticism and subsequent gradual acceptance of the eccentric team, coupled with the sporting drama, creates a fascinating blend of intense basketball sequences, humor, and even a pinch of romance. The romantic subplot between a skeptical Moses Guthrie and the equally quirkily eccentric astrologer Mona, adds a softer subplot to the overall narrative.

Directed by Gilbert Moses and written by Fred Rappaport, The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh offers an unconventional take on the sports movie genre. While it's a tale built around basketball, the movie reaches out to wider themes of team spirit, self-belief, and the power of unity against adversity. In many ways, the film mirrors the feel-good undercurrents that run through many sports-centric movies, where the underdogs must find a way to victory against all the odds.

Featuring a pulsing soundtrack reflecting the late 70s, the music breathes life into the film. With artists like the Spinners, the Sylvers, and Loretta Lynn contributing to the soundtrack, the film is enriched by an upbeat disco vibe and soulful songs that beautifully echo the time period and amplify the energetic spirit of the movie.

The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh depicts a light-hearted and humorous narrative, filled with eccentric characters and ambitious basketball sequences, made authentic by the professional players starring in the film. While it primarily caters to basketball fans and lovers of sports films, its unique blend of astrology, humor, and a pulsating soundtrack make it appealing to a much wider audience.

Its optimistic message is aptly summed up by the film's tagline, "The astrological disco sports extravaganza", promising an entertaining ride through a uniquely unconventional sports movie experience, filled with plenty of funk, fun, and basketball. Ultimately, in The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh, the sports film genre gets an astrological twist, resulting in a surprising, endearing, and genuinely fun cinema experience.