Customer Reviews

Continental Divide

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

John Belushi is forever connected to the alcohol abusing, self depricating , and party animal charators that he 's reknowned for playing in other films. Luckily , before his untimely demise , he participated in this project...Continental Divide. It totally seperates him against typecast and shows just how much diversified acting ability , he had .Whereas , alot of people (typical Belushi fans)didn't appreciate this effort, I think it was extremely refreshing. It only took me about five minutes to forget that it was John Belushi portraying Ernie Souchak. A top dog columnist who's forced out of town to do a safer article , at the request of his boss , to save him from danger. Blair Brown's Nell Porter, provides the perfect opposite, for Belushi's Souchak. The film has a very basic "boy meets girl " formula. However ,the script and actors take this film to an all time high. It is a very special film that provides very special and cinematic moments. I enjoyed it when I was a teenager and I hated love story's. But there's more to this tale than just a typical spin. Definately not a film to be missed.

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!

CONTINENTAL DIVIDE is a sweet, predictable romantic comedy of two opposites who in classic movie fashion can't stand each other at first but then fall madly in love. Although this is a comedy there is also lots of drama and John Belushi's portrayal of Ernie, an intelligent Chicago investigative reporter, is far from his role as ANIMAL HOUSE'S Bluto or most of his other characters in SNL sketches. Ernie needs to get out of town for awhile because his investigating has angered some powerful and corrupt politicians. His editor suggests he hide out in Wyoming and get an interview with Nell, a woman who has been studying bald eagles at her remote mountain top home. Ernie with his chubbiness and chain smoking is a typical fish out of water in this rugged terrain. He ends up staying at the cabin of the beautiful self-reliant eagle expert Nell played by Blair Brown who is at first immune to Ernie's charms. It will come as no surprise to frequent viewers of romantic comedies that after a series of misunderstandings and misadventures Nell and Ernie find they can't live without each other. Of course there's a problem - her life is in Wyoming protecting and studying the eagles and his is in Chicago protecting the city from corruption. Aside from the love story the movie offers some beautiful mountain scenery, shots of Chicago that make it look like a glamorous city and views of bald eagles who are thankfully not nearly as endangered as they were in 1981 when the movie was made. Lots of other things from dress styles to office equipment have changed since the early 80's and the Chicago portion of the film stands as a window in to that time.

This film is very old....but that's what makes it great. It's interesting to see the old computer equipment the newspaper used, and the old Amtrak trains throughout the finale. I also like it because John Belushi was a comedian attempting to make that cross-over to drama (of course this isn't a stone cold drama like "Out of Africa" for instance). Many comedians have failed in this...like Chevy Chase in "Foul Play" and John Candy in "Only the Lonely" and Richard Pryor in "Which Way is Up?". I think Belushi pulled it off beautifully. It's also the type of movie that leaves you with your heart exposed...it leaves you with a sense of longing deep in your soul....as Belushi rides off in the final scene you can't help but think of how the story goes on from there. You can't help but think that you want to be there, you want to feel like they feel as they proceed into the unknown area of post-credithood.

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!

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.

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.

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

One of Belushi's finest efforts. He truly showed in this movie that he was more than just a funny dude and the 'mad man' in the house. This guy could act! Blair Brown was at her peak as well. Myself not really ever being a huge fan of hers, respect her work in this movie. This is a hugly overlooked, under rated flick. It's a good 'fish out of water' story and great romantic movie that withstands the test of time.

what's all this about no great ending? if you've ever had a situation where two people love each other but HAD to go seperate ways, to live different lives, this is the film for you.

along with "a touch of class" and "same time next year" this is in my triumverate of romantic films.

perfectly, if somewhat surprisingly, cast, especially john, whose weight goes up and down in the film (suspension of disbelief, please), the movie is fun, funny, and sweet. it works, and that's my highest praise.