The Mosquito Coast (1986) USA
The Mosquito Coast Image Cover
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Director:Peter Weir
Studio:Warner Home Video
Producer:Jerome Hellman, Neville C. Thompson, Saul Zaentz
Writer:Paul Theroux, Paul Schrader
Rating:4
Rated:PG
Date Added:2007-03-06
Purchased On:2007-06-03
ASIN:B0000399WB
UPC:0085393622121
Price:$9.98
Awards:Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 1 win & 1 nomination
Genre:Adapted from Books
Release:1999-12-13
IMDb:0091557
Duration:117
Picture Format:Widescreen
Aspect Ratio:1.85:1
Sound:Dolby
Languages:English, Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround, French, Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Subtitles:English, French
Features:Full Screen
Letterboxed
Peter Weir  ...  (Director)
Paul Theroux, Paul Schrader  ...  (Writer)
 
Harrison Ford  ...  Allie Fox
Helen Mirren  ...  Mother Fox
River Phoenix  ...  Charlie Fox
Conrad Roberts  ...  Mr. Haddy
Andre Gregory  ...  Reverend Spellgood
Martha Plimpton  ...  Emily Spellgood
Dick O'Neill  ...  Mr. Polski
Jadrien Steele  ...  Jerry Fox
Michael Rogers (VI)  ...  
Hilary Gordon  ...  April Fox
Rebecca Gordon  ...  Clover Fox
Jason Alexander  ...  Hardware Clerk
Alice Sneed  ...  Mrs. Polski
Tiger Haynes  ...  Mr. Semper
William Newman  ...  Captain Smalls
Melanie Boland  ...  
Raymond Clare  ...  
Emory King  ...  
Tony Vega Sr.  ...  
Aurora Clavel  ...  
Michael Rogers  ...  Francis Lungley
Alice Heffernan-Sneed  ...  Mrs. Polski (as Alice Sneed)
John Seale  ...  Cinematographer
Thom Noble  ...  Editor
Comments: Allie Fox followed his dream to the Mosquito Coast. He planned a paradise. He created a Hell.

Summary: 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