Cheap The Mosquito Coast (DVD) (Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren) (Peter Weir) Price

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Customer Reviews of The Mosquito Coast

Harrison Ford's best work
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 universally excellent. Helen Mirren is 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.

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This is an unusual, yet successful, role for Harrison Ford.
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

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Lacking Plot Carried by Ford
The stars I gave are for Harrison Ford's acting alone. He did a wonderful job in this role. I don't remember him winning an Oscar for this or anything ( if he did I don't remember ), but he deserved one. River Phoenix was surprisingly wasted. Usually River does wonderful in anything he's in but in this you didn't need him. If you like films like " The Beach ", and " Lord of the Flies ", where men turn insane in beautiful tropical areas you will love this film.

Allie Fox ( Ford ) is an inventer sick of how America is being poisoned by little or no values. He walks around town raising hell and spewing nonsense with laid back son Charlie Fox ( River Phoenix ) by his side. Allie fusses, spits and carries on with how he hates America than packs up his family and rushes to Belize where he believes the world is just beginning. His wife, Mother ( Helen Mirren ) ( She's only known as " Mother " )and their other three children are shocked to see Allie's drug them to an empty, backwards part of Belize far away from civilization. He spits, spews and shouts until he's made a village with the islanders from his bare hands. He makes an enemy out of the nosey reverand who believes he is going against the church by taking the land from the islanders. Anyway, while the Foxes are enjoying nature after Allie invents a machine for ice and air conditioning, spanish men with guns show up and refuse to leave. In order to get rid of them Allie makes his son Charlie start a fire where the men sleep. That's when Allie's life goes down hill and he becomes even crazier. The men get killed. Allie accidentally destroys not only his invention, but the entire little village. By this time Allie is as demented as a serial killer. The family packs up and finds a beach. Suddenly he keeps his family prisoner. He becomes so crazy he feels they're going to turn on him. Allie begans destroying everything he doesn't agree with while risking his family's life along the way. And the only thing Helen Mirren's character says is: " Why are you doing this to us? " At that point the pity I felt for Mother was killed by her stupidity. The younger brother, Jerry was a great actor. River Phoenix was dry which was very disappointing.

I haven't read the book yet but the plot didn't add up. Helen Mirren's part could have been written smarter. How could Allie Fox rant and rave and she not see that he is insane? Please! I could tell he was a nut before he took his family away from America. The fact that he refers to his own wife as Mother should have tipped the family off. In that aspect the film could have been better. How does a man completely fall apart and his family not realize it until he's almost dead? That killed the plot's chance of being decent. Without Harrison Ford's dynamic performance this movie wouldn't be as popular as it is now. It came out in 1986 when everyone thought the world revolved around River Phoenix and his " Stand by Me " pals.

The film is entertaining thanks to Harrison Ford ( only ). Once again we suffer with horrible Martha Plimpton just because she and River were an item in real life. She was the most not needed character of all. Luckily she wasn't seen but twice. You can skip her scenes easily and save yourself the misery. Women may get offended at how stupid Helen Mirren's character actually is.