tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post8620035767206434377..comments2024-03-14T02:13:38.885-04:00Comments on Radiator Heaven: The Mosquito CoastJ.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11823190634186509982noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-1363753903605551262013-06-29T14:15:16.461-04:002013-06-29T14:15:16.461-04:00Anonymous:
Good call. This is definitely one of F...Anonymous:<br /><br />Good call. This is definitely one of Ford's strongest performances and a film that is vastly underrated. It's a shame that he doesn't tackle more roles like this.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-12459504562587776862013-06-24T22:21:28.288-04:002013-06-24T22:21:28.288-04:00In a film culture where people are either 'goo...In a film culture where people are either 'goodies' or 'baddies' a highly complex character like Allie is bound to cause confusion. He is good and bad, wonderful and dreadful. It is Fords finest hour. A man whose dreams become the nightmare for those around him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-60184718510960669702013-06-24T22:16:56.187-04:002013-06-24T22:16:56.187-04:00Within a film culture that makes the main protagon...Within a film culture that makes the main protagonists either goodies or baddies a complex character like Allie, who is both good and bad...wonderful and dreadful... is hard for some people to grasp. I love this film and I think it is Fords finest hour. He is a dreamer who dreams too far, they become nightmares. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-75291816217901752422011-01-28T10:33:06.202-05:002011-01-28T10:33:06.202-05:00Jess:
Yeah, not a film for everyone that's fo...Jess:<br /><br />Yeah, not a film for everyone that's for sure but Ford was quite brilliant in it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-50262762136658336242011-01-27T14:33:09.005-05:002011-01-27T14:33:09.005-05:00I did not love this movie, but it does add somethi...I did not love this movie, but it does add something terrific to the resume of Harrison Ford. YBLM.Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06679283194534387443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-67704918244716022872011-01-17T14:07:29.144-05:002011-01-17T14:07:29.144-05:00Ned Merrill:
Yeah, I am also a big fan of River P...Ned Merrill:<br /><br />Yeah, I am also a big fan of River Phoenix - he was incredible in MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO in addition to the films you also mentioned. I thought he was quite good in MOSQUITO COAST and obviously Ford thought so too as he ended up playing the younger version of Indy Jones.<br /><br />Never saw FEARLESS on the big screen and I wish I coulda seen that Weir retro at Walter Reade. Man, that would've been sweet.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-40318477259888787492011-01-14T16:23:24.365-05:002011-01-14T16:23:24.365-05:00J.D.:
Yeah, I've had good luck with seeing th...J.D.:<br /><br />Yeah, I've had good luck with seeing these films at a young age and enjoying them even then. Jeez, I was probably about 8 or 9 when I saw THE MOSQUITO COAST when it was a new home video release and I recall having a great conversation about it with my folks when it was over. I was a big fan of River (from STAND BY ME and EXPLORERS) and Harrison at the time; don't think I knew who Helen Mirren was yet. I recall my mom showing me WITNESS around then, as well, and that, too, was a big hit in our home.<br /><br />Was fortunate enough to see FEARLESS theatrically (I was 15) and thought it was great then. Saw THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY at just about the same time and really dug it. Once again, I kick myself for skipping the Weir retrospective that just happened at the Walter Reade. :-)Ned Merrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15436251586131278302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-14104497273821714872011-01-14T16:09:38.777-05:002011-01-14T16:09:38.777-05:00Ned Merrill:
Yeah, I didn't get all of this f...Ned Merrill:<br /><br />Yeah, I didn't get all of this film when I saw it at a young age and it has definitely improved with time, as has many of Weir's films. I recently watched THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY again and it may be my fave film of his.<br /><br />FEARLESS is good also. Jeff Bridges is incredible in it. Thanks for stopping by.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-21834569413784943692011-01-13T16:55:06.717-05:002011-01-13T16:55:06.717-05:00Saw this with the family when it was brand-new on ...Saw this with the family when it was brand-new on video and, even as a kid, I was really drawn into the film and enjoyed it despite the fact that I couldn't have understood a good portion of it. I should really revisit and, of course, just missed an opportunity to do so at Lincoln Center's Weir retrospective. On the plus side, I picked up THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY for $3 at Big Lots recently, another, along with MOSQUITO COAST and FEARLESS, that I have not watched in years.Ned Merrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15436251586131278302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-14612457944884971662011-01-12T17:42:50.980-05:002011-01-12T17:42:50.980-05:00The Film Connoisseur:
Glad to see you are also a ...The Film Connoisseur:<br /><br />Glad to see you are also a fan of this film. And I like your comparison to LORD OF THE FLIES. Survival of the fittest mixed in with madness. Watching Ford's character go off the deep end is fascinating and so well acted by him.<br /><br /><br />Steve Langton:<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by and for your comments. I know what you mean. I hadn't seen it ages and had just recently picked up the DVD. Glad I did as I enjoyed it throughly and it made me want to dive into Peter Weir's back catalog.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-35935862243786400532011-01-12T11:34:26.563-05:002011-01-12T11:34:26.563-05:00Haven't seen this since its cinema release, bu...Haven't seen this since its cinema release, but now I need a second viewing. Long overdue, too. Thanks for another excellent review and also for some fascinating background.Steve Langtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00759586159893673244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-1682932128140600902011-01-11T13:22:44.348-05:002011-01-11T13:22:44.348-05:00I used to see this movie a lot when I was a kid, e...I used to see this movie a lot when I was a kid, even then (I must've been about 10 or 11) I loved the movie. It was one of those movies that moved me, it left me shaken like no other movie did. I guess I wasnt used to so much tension and drama, but I knew I loved it. <br /><br />Watching The Mosquito Coast was similar for me to when I watched Lord of the Flies, it was shocking and dramatic and NOT a happy film, and I liked that! It was one of the first films that made me feel and think as opposed to just being amazed at effects and action. <br /><br />I need to re-watch it now, it will probably take a whole other level of meaning and complexity for me! I've been meaning to give this one a re-watch and the time has come!Franco Macabrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-9639901665736244822011-01-09T16:53:09.651-05:002011-01-09T16:53:09.651-05:00The Sci-Fi Fanatic:
Like you I didn't appreci...The Sci-Fi Fanatic:<br /><br />Like you I didn't appreciate this film when I was younger but it has aged well with me. I'd be curious to know what you think about this film now, after all these years.<br /><br />FEARLESS is a great film and Jeff Bridges is astounding in it. Weir also manages to get a really terrific performance out of Rosie Perez, an actress I'm normally not crazy about.<br /><br />As always, thanks for stopping by and for the kind words.<br /><br /><br />Stacia:<br /><br />The locations used in this film are something else. It is also how John Seale photographs it that really brings the various locales to life - so vividly.<br /><br />Thanks for the comments.<br /><br /><br />Will:<br /><br />Peter Weir's an interesting filmmaker who actually made even more intriguing films once he came to Hollywood instead of selling out. GREEN CARD is really the only Hollywood film of his I don't much care for. I hope you get a chance to see this one soon. I'd like to read your thoughts on it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-10976303749866607122011-01-08T15:49:47.424-05:002011-01-08T15:49:47.424-05:00I just put this on my list of FILMS I SHOULD HAVE ...I just put this on my list of FILMS I SHOULD HAVE SEEN BY NOW. I still haven't seen it so I haven't read the review yet but I'm trying to find a copy at my local video store (it isn't on Netflix streaming). Once I see it I shall return for a read and a comment (I had just watched Witness which inspired me to watch MC).Willhttp://secureimmaturity.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-12965196034993566912011-01-08T07:04:16.434-05:002011-01-08T07:04:16.434-05:00Terrific review, as always. I saw this when it wa...Terrific review, as always. I saw this when it was released on video in the late 1980s. It was one of the first 2 movies I rented, and back then you'd go out and rent a 97-pound VCR and 2 movies and that was your weekend. It's unfortunately become inextricably linked in my mind to the actual rental process, without much memory of the film itself. But the one thing I remember about it was that the locations were excellent, accurate without being overplayed. It surprised me quite a bit to see Canby even complain about the locale in his review. This is one that I've decided absolutely requires a new viewing, thanks to your write up here.Staciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05250238254417726987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-13203594774775408232011-01-07T22:01:09.927-05:002011-01-07T22:01:09.927-05:00J.D. I have to concur with you that I should perh...J.D. I have to concur with you that I should perhaps go backk to this film. It's been a loooong time. <br /><br />I loved Harrison Ford and seeing it when I was younger it left me a little cold, but I definitely would appreciate aspects of this film more now I'm almost sure of it.<br /><br />Great cast. Great photogrpahy. Great location. Great director, but still somehow imperfect.<br /><br />I would not mind escaping the concrete jungle of the suburban or urban US at times so I can certainly understand the mentality of the film's characters. I think your point about the "extreme nature of the cult of personality" is right on. That's probably one of the most fascinating aspects of the film.<br /><br />Older now, I really love alot of Peter Weir's films. The ones you mentioned and others mentioned here as well as Fearless. He's done some amazing work.<br /><br />The Mosquito Coast is an interesting film and like one of your earlier Ford focuses [not to be confused with the car], I need to revisit this and Frantic.<br /><br />They are on my radar. Once again, a thoroughly enjoyable write-up on one of those films from formative years in film. I enjoyed it very much. all the best.SFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-84386928444283195912011-01-07T15:24:27.000-05:002011-01-07T15:24:27.000-05:00John Kenneth Muir:
Thanks for the compliments, Jo...John Kenneth Muir:<br /><br />Thanks for the compliments, John!<br /><br />MOSQUITO COAST is a tough film to get into and doesn't have a very sympathetic protagonist at its center but Ford makes it work somehow... I think by getting under Allie's skin and showing what motivates the man.<br /><br />I hope you decide to revisit it.<br /><br /><br />Samuel Wilson:<br /><br />Glad to see that you're a fan of this film as well. It is a very underrated film and features a gutsy performance by Ford and a sensitive one by River Phoenix who, so young, but already showing tons of talent.<br /><br />I agree with you in that the casting of Nicholson would have been too on point and Ford brought something special to the role. He knew that he was doing something out of his comfort zone and really stepped up his game on this film.<br /><br />And thank you for mentioning Ford's other stellar roles in the '80s with WORKING GIRL (a film I hope to do a piece on) and FRANTIC. These films and MOSQUITO COAST showed an impressive range for Ford who was regarded as a movie star or action star who couldn't do drama or romantic comedy but he pulled it off. And I also couldn't agree more about his decline in the '90s. It was like the commercial failure of these risky roles made Ford go the safe route instead of continuing to challenge himself. To think, he was offered Michael Douglas role in TRAFFIC! Aigh.<br /><br /><br />le0pard13:<br /><br />I agree with you that this is not my fave Weir film... probably YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY or PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK but it is a fascinting entry in his filmography. Not an easy film to like but a lot to admire for sure.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by and for the kind words, my friend.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-46151122385489056472011-01-07T14:30:44.867-05:002011-01-07T14:30:44.867-05:00Great look at this film, J.D. It's not my favo...Great look at this film, J.D. It's not my favorite Peter Weir film (Picnic at Hanging Rock, The Year of Living Dangerously, Gallipoli, and Witness are ahead of it), but it is interesting. Plus, it's great to see Ford working with the director again, and against type. I agree with Samuel Wilson's comment about his work in WORKING GIRL and FRANTIC. It's been awhile and this one is worth re-visiting. Thanks, J.D.le0pard13https://www.blogger.com/profile/09421175808461787862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-56321760093427215902011-01-07T12:04:06.102-05:002011-01-07T12:04:06.102-05:00J.D., I'm happy to see this film get more resp...J.D., I'm happy to see this film get more respect, since it's one of the most underrated films of the Eighties. The film it reminds me of the most is Huston's <i>Moby Dick</i>, mainly because in both cases reviewers treated the lead actors (Gregory Peck in the earlier film)unfairly for daring to play against type. In the case of <i>Coast</i> Ford was punished for not being Nicholson, but the film is better for not having the more predictable actor in it. This film, Nichols' <i>Working Girl</i> and Polanski's <i>Frantic</i> show us what Ford was capable of and might have done more of had his image not hardened permanently in the early Nineties. Too bad about that.Samuel Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934870299522899944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-42550597770999683352011-01-07T11:55:49.444-05:002011-01-07T11:55:49.444-05:00J.D.
Another riveting retrospective. I really en...J.D.<br /><br />Another riveting retrospective. I really enjoyed reading this and getting immersed in your description of the film and the background behind it. <br /><br />I remember seeing The Mosquito Coast back in the 1980s and probably not really understanding it all, but being intrigued nonetheless. I should watch it again now, decades later, with a fresh eye; and your review makes me want to do just that.<br /><br />It's funny how all the issues that seem relevant to life in 1987 are, as you say, equally relevant in 2011.<br /><br />Great post!<br /><br />best,<br />JKMJohn Kenneth Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.com