Continental Divide

Starring:John Belushi, Blair Brown, Allen Garfield, Carlin Glynn, Tony Ganios, Val Avery, Liam Russell, Everett Smith, Bill Henderson, Bruce Jarchow, Eddie Schwartz, Harold Holmes, Elizabeth Young (III), Ron Dean, Frankie Hill, Mike Bacarella, Marji Bank, Christopher Lowell, Frank Noel Jr., Zaid Farid
Director: Michael Apted
Studio: Universal Studios
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

A fun and poignant story about "true" love
A favorite hidden jewel
The Maverick and his Match
Belushi and Brown - could have been the next Hepburn and Tracey
SENTIMENTAL CLASSIC

Continental Divide
Starring: John Belushi , Blair Brown , Allen Garfield , Carlin Glynn , and Tony Ganios
Director: Michael Apted
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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Romantic Adventure | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

1941 (Collector's Edition)
Murphy's Romance
Silver Streak
Doc Hollywood
SNL - Best of John Belushi

ASIN: B00008438W
Release Date: 2003-04-01

Customer Reviews:

A fun and poignant story about "true" love.......2007-03-22

I've always remembered this movie from when I was a kid and saw it on cable TV. Having seen it again, I think what really makes this film such a sweet and wonderful thing is how the main characters (played by John Belushi and Blair Brown) stay true to themselves as individuals even while falling in love. Without giving too much away here, it's very refreshing to have a romance film in which "love" has as much to do with mutual respect and deep caring for another human being as it does with good ol' reliable movie-screen passion. Ernie Souchak (Belushi) and Nell Porter (Brown) have what is considered a far-from-perfect predicament in the game of love, but the way in which they find a solution together makes for one of the sweetest love stories I've ever seen in a movie.

Of course, there's no way to watch this film without feeling the sadness and lament over Belushi's too-soon death at age 33. And yet, I think it's really remarkable to see Belushi "the actor" overcome some of the jokier elements in the film that I think were included only to appease Belushi fans who wanted yet another variation on Bluto from ANIMAL HOUSE or Capt. "Wild Bill" the crazed fighter pilot from Spielberg's 1941. In the end, his commitment to playing a character rather than a cartoon is to be praised and appreciated with a viewing of this special little film.

And this film would be the worst kind of insipid without the great actress Blair Brown bringing some very real dimension and humanity to the character of Nell Porter. Bringing undeniable intelligence and unbent courage to the role, her performance reminds viewers how much fun and challenge there is when you fall in love with somebody in real life.

One last thing -- I'm standing up here to praise the great character actor Allen Garfield (who changed his name back to Allen Goorwitz by the time he made this film). He plays Ernie Souchak's editor Howard ("a man with a newspaper to run," as he tells nearly everyone throughout the film), and his performance is note-perfect. A totally believable human being - Goorwitz lives up to the finest virtues a working actor can achieve. Kudos to him - I will always wish that he had done more films.

So if you would like to feel again that this is a pretty darn good planet filled with some pretty darn good people (some of whom want to save eagles), I strongly recommend that you see this movie. Enjoy!

A favorite hidden jewel.......2006-11-07

If you can't imagine John Belushi as a leading man, then somehow you have missed this jewel from 1981. Well, okay, he was no Cary Grant. But he proved he didn't have to be in order to play hard-case muckraking Chicago columnist Ernie Souchak convincingly and with heart.

This film belongs to Belushi and to the irresistible Blair Brown as scientist/naturalist Nell Porter, who at first seems as remote as her mountain cabin. Of course both characters eventually thaw amid the snow of the spectacular Rockies as they discover their vulnerability and a love that refuses to be conquered by distance.

To their credit, the actors ovecome occasionally weak dialog and some inane sub-plots -- like the embarrassingly superfluous and confusing introduction of a pro-footballer-turned-mountain man who has been trysting with Porter -- to make us suspend our disbelief and care about them despite the script flaws. Also deserving of a salute is the satisfying, rather un-Hollywood-like ending.

As the final credits roll and Helen Reddy sings, you'll probably be as captivated by Nell as Souchak was, and you might feel the urge to hit the streets of Chicago where it seems Belushi/Souchak should still be pounding the sidewalks. Then you may feel a tinge of sadness as you remember that his talent was taken from us much too soon.

As an aside, note that Steven Spielberg was an executive producer.

The Maverick and his Match.......2006-02-21

John Belushi's characters have always had a bit of the maverick in them. Funny, or otherwise, they were definitely memorable, and Continental Divide is no exception. However, this time his maverick attitude shows an unexpected depth which plays well off Blair Brown's no nonsense character. This is one of those rare movies where two strong talents actually complement each other without overpowering the story. Continetal Divide is entertaining and educational without being mundane or preachy. I still haven't decided which was best, the story or the scenery.

Belushi and Brown - could have been the next Hepburn and Tracey.......2005-12-17

Continental Divide is part of the trilogy writing debut of Lawrence Kasdan. Kasdan had three films released in 1981 for which he wrote the screenplay. The most famous was the adventure film Raiders of the Lost Ark, followed by this romantic comedy, and finally the potboiler film noiresque Body Heat.

Continental Divide has been referred to as a modern Hepburn Tracey film.

John Belushi plays Ernie Souchok, a no nonsense investigative reporter with a habit of ticking off the wrong people. Ernie loves Chicago and the big city life. When death threats become a little too real, he is sent on assignment to interview a reclusive ornithologist (bird watcher) living in the Rockies (a.k.a. The Continental Divide).

Blair Brown plays Nell Porter, the ornithologist. She prefers her eagles to other humans. Therefore, Nell and Ernie mix like oil and water. But Ernie and Nell realize that their individual passions are what make them attractive to each other.

A wild romance ensues but when it is safe for Ernie to return home he reluctantly returns to Chicago. Of course the two are reunited in Chicago but she is committed to nature. The end is wildly romantic and completely satisfying.

If you like the romantic comedies of the 40's, then Continental Divide is perfection. John Belushi shows that he had the potential to be a top actor. Blair Brown gives another solid performance and continued to build on her earlier work.

DVD EXTRAS: None

SENTIMENTAL CLASSIC.......2005-04-17

As one of Lawrence Kasdan's first screenplays, Continental Divide still holds its own with the best of his later, more popular works. Blair Brown is excellent, as usual, in the lead role, and John Belushi shows surprising range. All in all, money well spent!

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