MovieChat Forums > Continental Divide (1981) Discussion > A lot of people did not like this movie ...

A lot of people did not like this movie (when it came out)

posted 13 years ago by davbot
7 replies | jump to latest

I saw it in the movie theater because I like the late John Belushi and Blair Brown. I remember a few people saying that they did not like it, probably because Belushi was definitely playing a different type than usual. I saw another posting here that claims he looked uncomfortable, which I have to admit is true.

But I think it's still an enjoyable romantic comedy and a wonderful way to remember John Belushi.

[–] stevenackerman69 11 years ago

Well, the film got mixed reviews at the time and didn't exactly do gangbuster business in 1981. You must be really old now to have seen it in the theater, but anyway, it was a different role type for John. He wasn't playing Bluto, Wild Bill Kelso, or Jake Blues, wild comic roles, he was playing a straight character role. He was pretty good in it and it is sad that a few months later he died of a drug overdose.
According to Wired, he wasn't sure he could do the role and waffled back and forth but then eventually did it.

[–] marine1137 11 years ago

"You must be really old now to have seen it in the theater"

Wow.... there's no accounting for class there.

Anyway, the film is a different outlet for both of the leads and the scenery is also a wonder to behold. A nice, sweet romantic-comedy, with Brown as the real treat (as always). Check her out in 1983 "Kennedy," her portrayal of Jackie is phenomenal.

[–] oscarunger 11 years ago

the movie is very early 80's rom-com, in a good way, I thought jb was actually great underplaying it the way he did and blair is great, (I always think of the cigarette smoking on the mountain scene)

[–] drjeff21 11 years ago

Those of us who saw it in movie theaters are middle-aged now. That comment was uncalled for; you wait and see how fast the years go by.

[–] obtuseangle65 8 years ago

>>> You must be really old now to have seen it in the theater<<<

LOL you've got class bud! Funny thing, I almost saw this in the theater in 1981. It was a split decision between this and 'Prince of the City'. For whatever reason, we chose 'Prince of the City'. No deep thought went into our decision; we were a group of 16 year-old high school juniors, half-drunk on beer, looking for a flick to trip out on on a Friday night at the local movie theater. I'm 50 years old now. Well, at least I don't feel old.

[–] Rick-34 8 years ago

You must be really old now to have seen it in the theater

By your photo, you look at least old enough.

I didn't see Continental Divide at the time, but I did see Neighbors in the theater, and it came out at the same time. For some reason Belushi and Aykroyd decided to both play against type in that one. As a result, it failed miserably. Anyway, Continental Divide is a decent movie. Not one of Belushi's best - let's face it, his movie career is based almost entirely on only two movies: Animal House and The Blues Brothers.

We see enough in Divide to see that Belushi could have done this kind of role well. I mean, he does it well enough, but he could have polished his craft and done it even much better. I think he was smart enough and talented enough to have done more serious roles as well as Tom Hanks has. A real shame he died so young.

[–] GalenSteeleJr 10 years ago

Yes, loved the movie. Yes, I saw it also at the theater, I am the same age as Blair Brown, people didn't like it because John was not in his normal role. Just like people of this generation didn't like "The Majestic", because Jim Carey was not his normal comedic self.