Customer Reviews

The Mosquito Coast

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Peter Weir's under-appreciated masterpiece draws a striking comparison between religious zealotry and the utopian fantasies of technological imperialism. The smarmy Reverend Spellgood heads south into Central America to spread the Christian faith. Paranoid inventor Allie Fox does likewise, but his mission is somewhat different though no less religious in its intensity - he wants to bring ice, and by his logic 'civilization', to the locals. Both men are 'missionaries', both equally blind to the personal and social costs of the 'salvation' they bring. The cast is excellent. Helen Mirren is near flawless as the devoted but cautious mother, and River Phoenix really impresses as the coming-of-age son through whose eyes the story unfolds. But Ford is absolutely perfect as the father. This was truly inspired casting, as it uses our latent feelings for the actor to put us in precisely the same position as his on-screen family: we want to love him - this quintessentially paternal hero - despite his destructive obsession. But in the end we have to accept that he gets exactly what he deserves. I'm surprised Ford doesn't seek out more roles like this one, rather than settling for repetitive action fare or trying to reinvent himself as Bogart. Adapted with considerable skill by Paul Schrader from an exquisite novel by Paul Theroux, this film is a rare find: a powerful, gripping, moving story with something important to say.

Harrison Ford gives one of his most forceful and compelling performances as Allie Fox, an inventor who moves his family to the jungle of Central America to establish an isolationist utopia. As his dream builds, and then unravels, he moves along the scale from manic genius to meglomanic obsession, putting him at heightened odds with God, nature, man, and finally, his own family. Ford's dazzling performance is enhanced by Helen Mirren's quiet intensity as his loyal wife, and River Phoenix's thoughtful portrayal of his observant oldest son. Look quickly for cameos by Jason Alexander (TV's "Seinfeld") and Butterfly McQueen ("Gone With the Wind")! A beautifully photographed and handsomely mounted production, perceptively directed by Peter Weir.

The DVD offers both widescreen and pan & scan tranfers; I preferred the widescreen which preserves the film's magnificent visual compositions. Video and sound are both clear and crisp, and the theatrical trailer makes a nice bonus supplement. Recommended for fans of Ford and Weir, and for viewers who like a strong mix of character study and action-adventure.

Say about this movie what you want, if you like Harrison Ford because of his acting ability, this is the movie to watch. Ford gives an enticing, complex, and multi-facetted performance as Allie Fox, a man with a vision of utopia, blind to the reality that binds him. With his vision and inventions, Fox takes his family into the rain forests of Central America, where he sets a chain of events in motion that soon eludes his control and --in the destructive devastation released on man and nature-- the scope of his imagination.

Mr. Ford's portrayal of this driven, and in the end obsessed man is not that of a simple villain. Through Allie Fox, Mr. Ford brings to the screen a range of emotions no other character has ever allowed him to explore and does an amazing job with. This is the kind of performance that desrves an Academy Award.

A great, albeit less popular follow up to 'Witness,' 'The Mosquito Coast' reunites Ford with Australian director Peter Weir. This is a great movie, visual and character driven. Finally, it is available in the grand widescreen format it deserves!

Reviews are only subjective.

Ford as Allie Fox is an inventor, a genius, a man too smart for the world around him. He is a mechanical engineer who takes his family to Central America in search of Utopia, as he defines it. Of course, his family does not want to leave behind civilization and all of the comforts that home brings, but no one can resist his will. Perhaps that and his abrasive irritating manner are aspects of his insanity.

He does not expect to find another zealot, particularly in the form of Reverend Spellgood (Andre Gregory) who has determined to bring Christianity to the natives. Fox's goal is to bring his definition of civilization. The conflict and comparison between two very strong characters is part of what makes Paul Theroux's story work

River Phoenix as Charlie, the son who comes of age, and through whose eyes we see this story, is brilliant. Helen Mirrin, recently of 'Calendar Girls,' is stunning; her portrayal of a woman in love with her family, wanting to support her husband, yet protect her family is touching. John Seale's, directory of photography, work is outstanding, and reminds me of other fascinating movies brought to life by the careful use of lights, shadows, and lush, verdant scenery.

Ford's portrayal of the disintegration of a brilliant man, inventor, know-it-all, family despot is compelling, but gets lost in the slow, tedious complexities of a long journey - both mentally and the one his family travels. Yet, it has been almost twenty years since I saw the theatrical release, and I remember this film. I still think about it, wonder about motives and actions - and that is what makes this an excellent film, in my opinion.

This is one of the most difficult films to rate because it was overly long and somewhat wearisome, but it is also powerful. However, when actors, a story, and cinematography linger in my imagination and analysis processes since 1986, I must give it five stars. I know that some people will be bored because it is slow, but I will watch it many times to enjoy the nuances.

Victoria Tarrani

This movie contains all the elements that make a great story, and best of all, includes a great cast and wonderful cinematography. Harrison Ford plays a very dynamic character who fits the mold of the misguided husband who downplays his pernicious acts with a "I'm doing this for you" speech. Incredible! Part of you loves him for his genius, part of you hates him for his hazardous ambition. I would classify this movie as a tragedy, but what better way to learn from the ideal human experience of survival, hope and trial. The DVD looks sharp (for an older movie!) and has a nice trailer on it, but that's really it. I noticed the Amazon comment of "Fine film grain is revealed throughout," and I quote Allie Fox, "Sounds perfect!" - I love the sharp film look! This movie is a keeper, and an excellent chapter in Harrison Ford's hall of fame! Peter Weir too! SEE IT!

Don't sit down and watch The Mosquito Coast expecting another Six Days and Seven Nights. Harrison Ford plays serious as a misguided, stubborn father who drags his family through hell. Unlike many of Harrison's other characters, you will not necessarily identify positively with Allie Fox. Instead of the likable brashness of Han Solo, Ford presents us with an despicable genius, an Einstein who does not consider the effects of his choices on others.

If the viewer doesn't expect Ford's feel-good characters from past performances, the movie will not be quite as disorienting as when I watched it. Being accustomed to cheering for Ford's characters in previous movies, it was confusing and frustrating to see him so thick-headed. While you may know people like Allie Fox, as I do, let's hope he's not you.

The story of a father taking his family into the wild has been explored many times, often with a mid-life crisis element involved. Here, an incredibly intelligent inventor who lacks common sense shoves his family into amazingly difficult situations. He believes his thoughts are perfectly reasoned, that life will be perfect after carrying out his plan. I feel logic dictates that perfection is impossible. Certainly, some deep discussion can occur after the movie's credits.

With half of marriages ending in divorce nowadays, many will watch this film and say, "Why doesn't she divorce this stooge?" However, even mismanaged families want to stick together, especially when kids are involved; this realization makes the spouse's questionable actions a touch more believable.

The supporting cast is very solid, with every performance believable. Not a single weak link really exists here, and the cinematography drops you right in the middle of the jungle.

I enjoyed the movie simply to see Harrison Ford truly acting. The Mosquito Coast shows his range as an actor. A good watch for true fans of Harrison Ford, plus a lot of food for thought.

With a screenplay by Paul Schader(Taxidriver) and direction by Peter Weir(Trumanshow) it is no wonder this film is a minor masterpiece. Harrison Ford is Ally Fox, an idealistic genius who rejects the U.S. and sets out to start a new way of life in the Jungle(taking his wife and 4 children with him). However when his best laid plans fall apart this mans great mind decents into a pit of obsession and madness. You could watch this film for the acting alone. Ford is exceptionally stunning as Ally, making him a maverick anti-hero. He is all at once admirable, sharp, fearsom and utterly absorbing. But perhaps even more remarkable is the performance of River Phoenix as Allys some what brain-washed son Charlie. With barely any dialoge compared to Ford, Phoenix simply dazzles you with his looks of overwelmed awe at his father- sometimes his glazed eyes just seem to jump off the screen with intense pride. I think great credit should go to the visionary Weir for the spectacle he creates. The beautiful scenery together with a majestic soundtract are nothing less than hypnotic. And how he transforms his cast from well-fed, clean cut Americans to ragged, starved savages is incredible. Above all the most striking thing about "Mosquito Coast" is the honest statement it makes about human nature. If you dont like it, then basically, your kidding yourself!

For fans of director Peter Weir, whose films deal exclusively with themes of man confronting his destiny and / or madness, "The Mosquito Coast" is his greatest effort. Here, Harrison Ford plays Allie Fox, a heartland family man sidelining as a eccentric inventor who grows weary of the disenchanting greed and (what he perceives as) disintegration of America. He moves his family to South America where he ends up purchasing a small village, and successfully creates his own primal vision of utopia. Through a series of problems he fails to see as beyond his control (nature, internal turmoil, religious & milirary interferences) his utopia begins to crumble and Allie resorts to the selfish, materialistic American ideals he so venemously despised. However, Allie cannot see his own faults as he clings desperately to a dream that is ravaging himself & his family. The descension sends him into a palpable madness as his family helplessly watches. No screenwriter other than Paul Schrader communicates madness better. Ford unarguably delivers his best performance EVER; no other character portrayed by Ford has been given so much emotion and freedom to use (it would of been more appropriate for Ford to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Actor for this film rather than for "Witness" - also directed by Weir).

In some ways this film is more difficult than the Schrader-scripted "Taxi Driver" or Weir's "Fearless", which also deal with themes of dementia. Typically, what you receive is a character who is either combating their madness or completely unaware of it. With this film, inventor Allie Fox embraces his madness because he sees it as the only catalyst to his freedom. A powerful and overlooked film.

The first time I saw this movie (about 15 years ago) I really liked Ford's perfomance as Allie Fox, an excentric american inventor who is fed up about of a lot of things in America and decides to move along with his family to Honduras (to the Mosquito Coast)to improve his way of living. By then I really liked Helen Mirren and late River Phoenix as his wife and son.
A couple of months ago I got the chance to red Paul Theroux's novel and I was really surprised abouth Fox's character and I realised than Harrison Ford is Allie Fox Himself! An outsatnding direction by one of my favourite directors, great Peter Weir (Gallipolli, The year of Living Dangerously, Witness, Fearless)who is very attracted in developing conflicts between human beings and Mosqito Coast isn't an exception.I highly recommend this DVD (great quality, and really improved from the VHS)

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.