The Mosquito Coast

Starring:Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, River Phoenix, Conrad Roberts, Andre Gregory, Martha Plimpton, Dick O'Neill, Jadrien Steele, Michael Rogers, Hilary Gordon, Rebecca Gordon, Jason Alexander, Alice Sneed, Tiger Haynes, William Newman, Melanie Boland, Raymond Clare, Emory King, Tony Vega Sr., Aurora Clavel
Director: Peter Weir
Studio: Warner Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com essential video

A year after his American film debut, Peter Weir reteamed with his Witness star (Harrison Ford) for a tricky adaptation of Paul Theroux's novel of a modern man who takes his family into the jungle. The results are mixed, but the film is galvanized by Ford's atypical performance as inventor/madman Allie Fox. Paul Schrader's script sets up Allie as a man who follows his idea: that America is dying and the real "four-in-the-morning courage" is found in returning to the essence of life, here the jungles of a fictional Central American country (it was shot in Belize). With his family in tow (including Helen Mirren and River Phoenix), Allie creates a utopia when his inventions create a local sensation, but seedier elements from bandits to evangelicals (led by Andre Gregory) take their toll. Certainly, it's hard to root for a central character who is unpleasant ("a know-it-all who is sometimes right," as one states), and the film's second half is not as interesting. But Weir's film is logical and true in its progression and, as usual, is beautifully crafted (he also reteams with the cinematographer, editor, and composer of Witness). Ford's rawness is reminiscent of many an actor's foray into the meaty role of an independent film--which this film is certainly not--and, unfortunately, it was not the direction he ultimately pursued. --Doug Thomas

Description

Harrison Ford gives one of his most powerful portrayals as an obsessive inventor whose dream of creating a jungle paradise erodes into a survival-of-the-fittest nightmare. Year: 1986 Director: Peter Weir Starring: Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, River Phoenix

Customer Reviews:

The troubled inventor ..........2007-06-13

The movie is based on a book by the prodigal Paul Theroux. It is centered around Allie Fox (Harrison Ford) and his family's migration to the remote and enigmatic Mosquito Coast. The tropical jungle gives Allie a virgin ground for creating a superior civilization. Surprisingly, he thinks ice is synonymous with civilization and builds a monstrous machine that generates ice, air-conditioning and condensed water. The ice-making machine is called Fat Boy. It is a giant manifestation of his creative genius. He hikes (lugging ice blocks) to remote Indian villages to proudly show them ice that he created. Not surprisingly, the Fat Boy initiates the sudden collapse of his remote & superior civilization. Thereafter, he gets madly obsessed to create another (more elemental) civilization on an unmapped place and exposes his family to great peril, hardships and hunger. He nurtures a strong dislike towards the missionaries operating in rural-rural Mosquito. His dislike towards them and the disappointment of failing in multiple attempts to create & sustain a civilization leads him to burning down a mission city. The reprisal is strong and he is shot & fatally wounded.

If you've read the book, then (subconsciously) you'll be trying to relate every scene to the book and will always be disappointed because the movie seems to move very fast. At times it'll be digressing from the book's story line and other times, it'll be an exact enactment. The mental picture painted by the mind while reading the book is very vivid & colorful compared to the scenes depicted in the movie.
I think movies based on wonderful & compelling books/novels should spend some time building the initial story (as in the book). In the movie, it would have helped if the director would have spent some more time showing Allie, his family members, his creational genius and his plot to migrate to the Mosquito Coast. The director should not assume that everyone watching the movie has read the book. That is the best approach for a mixed audience (folks who have read the book & folks who have not).

Nonetheless, the movie is watchable. Harrison Ford (as Allie) shines and the dramatic Mosquito Coast scenery & rugged jungle beauty is alluring and well shot. I particularly liked the shots of the tiny boat coasting upstream amidst thick jungle whilst being bathed in tropical sunshine. Fat Boy's manifestation is very impressive. The movie will leave you with a very strong afterthought about the manmade creations. To be honest, we are in very many ways (despite the luxuries) a forsaken captive of our own creation.

The movie's background score is lackluster. A good music score would have complemented the jungle backdrop.

One of the Best Damn 'Classical-American' Films Ever Made.......2007-03-26

I am disgusted at editorial reviews of this film that claim Allie Fox to be eccentric, mad and obsessive- do not be fooled by the rambling of these idiots.

This film is not about a madman, it is about an idealist. If you believe America to be the Land of Oppurtunity- not the Land of Result, if you believe in hard work; if you believe in technocracy; if you believe that a mans destiny is determined by what he makes it, that that destiny is not to be left alone to God, but that God made Man intelligent and strong so that he could survive and better his world; if you believe that a mans efforts, thoughts and struggles are the things which compose his body, blood and soul- that these efforts are worth dying for, that they are a mans life and that those who would take them from him are taking no less than his life and are no less than murderers and thieves; if you believe these things to be true then this movie is for you. On the other hand, if you're a mosquito and any of these things make you feel uncomfortable then this movie was not meant for you- however such evil creatures as yourself may find the film enjoyable as you may choose to morbidly relish in the struggle and pains of the protagonist.

The film is deep and intelligent and riddled with powerful lines and scenes; the details of which I wouldn't dare reveal to you. I will say that The Mosquito Coast is a tragedy that brings some comfort in knowing that one is not the only one who thinks as one does- that the world of Good Men is not entirely lonely. I more than highly recommend The Mosquito Coast- it is a film not to be missed.

He dropped out of Harvard - to get an education..........2006-12-30

This movie not only has one of the best actors ever taking the lead role - it has a great storyline. Harrison Ford's character is a little on the weird side, but is also very easy for the viewer to relate to in one way or the other.

How many people living in America have thought about the possiblity of leaving the country? How many people would love to experience what a more simplistic way of life could be without feeling bogged down by all of our modern technologies and so-called advancements? Yet very few ever take the risk...

Although Allie is disenchanted with what America has become over the years, he is also psychologically fitted with a traditional protestant work ethic; the same mindset upon which America was built - this irony is seen by the decisions he makes throughout the film, and this drives him to insanity.

The characters surrounding Allie create the conflict within the film, most notably his son Charlie (played by River Pheonix), who narrates during the film and tells the events from his point of view. Charlie respected his father but also was able to recognize the progressive decay of his father's mental health. As the oldest (there is a younger son and daughter), Charlie takes a role of leadership within the family and sometimes has to stand up to his own rolemodel.

Allie's wife (whom he refers to as 'Mother'), is played by Helen Mirren. Her struggle in the film is seen by her submissiveness to Allie and her dedication to him often blinding her to the sickness of her husband, and thus preventing her from not allowing her family to make correct decisions.

There is a missionary whom Allie argues with which adds to the film's philosophical tension. At times you wish different descisions had been made, the direction of the storyline may frustrate you, but I believe this was the filmmakers intension - human nature can be unpredictable, untrustworthy, flawed.

Faith vs willpower, simplicity vs complexity, technology vs nature, self- fullfillment vs group responsibility...this film has it all. A MUST SEE!!!

Hopefully I have left the storyline somewhat ambiguous for those who have not seen this movie, and perhaps those who haven't seen it in a long time. I will finish this review with one of my favorite quotes from the film to further convince you of the brilliance of 'The Mosquito Coast':

"We eat when we're not hungry, drink when we're not thirsty. We buy what we don't need and throw away everything that's useful. Why sell a man what he wants? Sell him what he doesn't need. Pretend he's got eight legs and two stomachs and money to burn. It's wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong." -Allie Fox (Harrison Ford)

RECOMMENDATION: If you are looking for some other great films from 80's with great acting and storytelling then 'Gorillas in the Mist' should be next on your list. Sigourney Weaver gives her best performance in this film that is based on the real life events of the scientist Dian Fossey. Filmed on sight in Africa with the real mountain gorillas that Dian studied...BEAUTIFUL, MOVING, BRILLIANT.

Warning!! Not a happy ending!.......2006-10-14

This is one of those thoughtful, well acted movies with a deeply unsatisfying conclusion. If you like such things, have at it. If you like happy endings, avoid it.

If they'd only taken some guns..........2006-10-12

A great study of the consequences of indulging in utopian idealism without either practicality or realistic preparedness. Harrison Ford plays a man who has a great dream of living in the wilderness isolated from civilization, but who is dangerously naive about both nature and human nature, and therefore woefully underprepared to deal with the menaces of both. A true classic.

Average customer rating:

The Mosquito Coast/Running on Empty
Starring: Harrison Ford , Helen Mirren , River Phoenix , Conrad Roberts , and Andre Gregory
Director: Peter Weir , and Sidney Lumet
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0000E6FPN
Release Date: 2003-11-18

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