Saw this years ago in the theater when I was a teen and me and my mother about walked out halfway through. We struggled and stayed, only to regret wasting our lives on this. Why are all the reviews good? This was the reason we paid to see it.
shareThe reviews were good because many people liked it, including many of the people who reviewed it. Of course, not every person will enjoy every movie -- which seems to be the case for you and your mother. As they say "Your mileage may vary".
Personally, I liked it a lot. I could have done without Happer's abusive "life coach" (or whatever you want to call him); I found the character to be useless and off-putting. However, that was the only major flaw I had with this film.
Other than that flaw, I found it to be a beautifully subtle film. My favorite aspect of the film is the way Mac subtly and slowly transforms from a Houston go-getter executive to a Ferness villager.
I've always felt that Mac's transformation was the main theme of the film. The audience was meant to see the events of film through Mac's eyes, and as he slowly transformed into one of the villagers of Ferness, so did we. And the subtly of the transformation was the key to the film being so enjoyable. There was no single scene which I could point to that made me believe Mac's whole life outlook had changed, but rather it was every little scene that -- taken as a whole -- added up to that.
When asked to define Jazz, Louis Armstrong said, "If ya gotta ask, ya ain't never gonna know", but I wouldn't say "never" with this film.
Not much seems to be happening on the surface. There's not much in the way of action, the humo(u)r is mostly dry and subtle and there doesn't seem to be a big finish. This is a movie that doesn't try to grab your attention; you have to let it work its magic on its own timetable.
I wouldn't want to spoil the discovery but there's a reason the end theme is titled 'Going Home'. Mac is sent to Scotland because of his last name which had been changed - this is not his ancestral land at all. Danny speaks a number of languages but not the language of his native land. The cosmopolitan types in LH are world travelers but never really "at home" anywhere. There's an untranslatable Portuguese word, "saudade", that was once rendered as "homesickness for a home you've never had". This movie is about that and a half-dozen other things and still manages to make me laugh every time.
Not much seems to be happening on the surface. There's not much in the way of action, the humo(u)r is mostly dry and subtle and there doesn't seem to be a big finish. This is a movie that doesn't try to grab your attention; you have to let it work its magic on its own timetable.
Except there is a scene, when Mac is down on the shore waiting for a call from houston. Mac's transformation isn't in one scene, it's a slow development of a driven man who gets slowed down for a little while then tries to gear up.
shareI totally agree with the interpretation of this film being the transformation of Mac. For me, his moment of transition from oil man to villager is when he leaves his watch on the rocks and the waves wash over it. And also when he stops shaving and wearing his suit.
What is particularly poignant for me is when Mac gets home and doesn't want to be there. He sorts through photos and his sea shells and misses the village. I always feel this way when I get home from somewhere. Such experiences change us and the irony is that we don't notice until they're over. I like to call this the Local Hero Effect.
Absolutely one of my favourite films of all time!
I couldn't agree more!
shareSo sorry for your waste of time. I would have loved to see this film on the big screen
Not terrible. My very favorite movie. I think you have to be in the right head space to appreciate, and not every movie will appeal to everyone
shareThere's one of these useless reviews on every single great film listed on IMDB. If you want car chases go watch some *beep* action movies.
shareHow "terrible" for you, because I consider this to be one of my all-time favourite films (and I have seen thousands). I've watched it countless times and will continue to watch it periodically for the sheer delight of it. A gentle, touching, witty film shot amid gorgeous scenery with delightful characters (for the most part). A wonderfully charming, endearing film with sweet performances all around.
Highly memorable and very highly recommended.
I like your taste in films...I agree with every syllable. I have seen this film, as well as Forsythe's others(Gregory's Girl and the under rated, Comfort & Joy) many, many times. After viewing Local Hero I feel like I have personally visited Furness and left with a bunch of new friends.
I agree with you. I loved it when it came out, and when I watched it a few years ago found that it still held up great, unlike so many 1980s movies. I pretty much love everything about it. The music is really nice too.
shareNothing really happens. I guess it was one of those atmospheric movies that didn't stick with me, since my favorite part wasn't even about the main storyline, but about that crazy guy who was harassing Lancaster. That part could be a film on its own!
shareWe already have several movies like that. Crazy Americans doing over-the-top crazy things. It's a genre of it's own.
shareThat's why they make chocolate and vanilla, wstock70.
I LOVED this film. It received four stars **** from the late, great Roger Ebert, and a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes", so I think you're in the minority here.
Slange!
Schrodinger's cat walks into a bar, or doesn't.
You and your mother are morons with no souls.
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