The Mosquito Coast
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Movie Reviews of The Mosquito Coast
Movie Review: Harrison Ford's best work
Summary: 5 Stars
Peter Weir's under-appreciated masterpiece draws a striking comparison between religious zealotry and the utopian fantasies of technological imperialism. The smarmy Reverend Spellgood heads south into Central America to spread the Christian faith. Paranoid inventor Allie Fox does likewise, but his mission is somewhat different though no less religious in its intensity - he wants to bring ice, and by his logic 'civilization', to the locals. Both men are 'missionaries', both equally blind to the personal and social costs of the 'salvation' they bring. The cast is excellent. Helen Mirren is near flawless as the devoted but cautious mother, and River Phoenix really impresses as the coming-of-age son through whose eyes the story unfolds. But Ford is absolutely perfect as the father. This was truly inspired casting, as it uses our latent feelings for the actor to put us in precisely the same position as his on-screen family: we want to love him - this quintessentially paternal hero - despite his destructive obsession. But in the end we have to accept that he gets exactly what he deserves. I'm surprised Ford doesn't seek out more roles like this one, rather than settling for repetitive action fare or trying to reinvent himself as Bogart. Adapted with considerable skill by Paul Schrader from an exquisite novel by Paul Theroux, this film is a rare find: a powerful, gripping, moving story with something important to say.Movie Review: Ford's Finest Moment
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Mosquito Coast" is one of the unheralded great films of the Eighties. I read Paul Theroux's novel after seeing the film on video and mesmerizing a book as it was I realized that though not unfilmable it would be difficult to translate to the screen. Director Peter Weir and writer Paul Schrader succeeded. What one would find problematic in the book is the Allie Fox character is a tad unsympathetic. What Harrison Ford has achieved without compromising the character is imbuing Allie with a little empathy. This demonstrates to those who would relegate Ford to the Han Solo or Indiana Jones parts what a consummate actor he is. Another difficult part is the one assayed by Helen Mirren as Mother. A lesser actress would lead you to believe that Mother is spineless and compliant in indulging her husband's preposterous whims. Watch Mirren in the closing moments of the film and you realize that Mother acquieses to Allie more out of love than a lack of backbone. Lastly, the late lamented River Phoenix makes his mark as the Fox's oldest son torn between idolizing adoration for his father and repulsion toward's Allie's thoughtless cruelty. The film contains lush tropic scenery and a haunting score by Maurice Jarre. "The Mosquito Coast" is a challenging film but adventurous filmgoers should pursue it.Movie Review: Where was Oscar?
Summary: 5 Stars
Say about this movie what you want, if you like Harrison Ford because of his acting ability, this is the movie to watch. Ford gives an enticing, complex, and multi-facetted performance as Allie Fox, a man with a vision of utopia, blind to the reality that binds him. With his vision and inventions, Fox takes his family into the rain forests of Central America, where he sets a chain of events in motion that soon eludes his control and --in the destructive devastation released on man and nature-- the scope of his imagination.Mr. Ford's portrayal of this driven, and in the end obsessed man is not that of a simple villain. Through Allie Fox, Mr. Ford brings to the screen a range of emotions no other character has ever allowed him to explore and does an amazing job with. This is the kind of performance that desrves an Academy Award.
A great, albeit less popular follow up to 'Witness,' 'The Mosquito Coast' reunites Ford with Australian director Peter Weir. This is a great movie, visual and character driven. Finally, it is available in the grand widescreen format it deserves!
Movie Review: Han Solo, Indiana Jones, and Allie Fox
Summary: 5 Stars
These are the three best roles that I believe Harrison Ford has had in his career. He suits the role and executes it flawlessly. If you've read the Thoreaux classic you might agree with me in believing that the story itself is exceptional, and the movie required nothing less than an outstanding actor to assume the role of Allie, the leader of the Fox family. For 120 minutes Fox leads his loyal family across unfamiliar seas to a new and overwhelmingly different life among tribal villagers. At one point Allie seems to be in control of their lives, and then control is wrestled away by mother nature, who 'only has curved lines' when Allie insists on right angles.
The ultimate irony is in Allie's criticism of America. He manages to bring all that he hates about America with him to the foreign land of Mosquitia.
As a fellow American who's left my home country to live in a third world country, I can relate to Fox's search for a different life. Very highly recommended.
Movie Review: Harrison Ford's best role yet
Summary: 5 Stars
When I had heard that Harrison Ford aka Indiana Jones was to be the lead character, Allie Fox, in the film version of Paul Theroux's "Mosquito Coast", I was somewhat aghast since I had heard that Jack Nicholson was slated to play the eccentric inventor who disgusted with US of A takes his family and leaves into the wilderness. Was I wrong!! Ford gives such a great performance that he should've at least be given an Oscar nomination but unfortunately like another island saga, "The Mission", "Coast" did poor business at the box office. This is a thought provoking action tale with superb performances from not only from Ford, but also from Helen Mirren as his long suffering wife, the late River Phoenix as his loyal son and Andre Gregory as his nemesis, the bible thumping minister. But it's Harrison's riveting performance that will keep you glued to your seat plus astounding cinematography and Peter Weir's fine direction (too bad they haven't made any other films after this).