And now, another entry in this year’s new series:
Movie of the Week: Peter Weir’s THE MOSQUITO COAST (1988).
Between Indiana Jones sequels in the mid to late ‘80s, Harrison Ford was on an interesting roll with WITNESS (his only Oscar nom), FRANTIC, and WORKING GIRL, but this role as a idealistically delusional guy who pulls his family, including wife Helen Mirren and son River Phoenix (leading the way for his crucial part in INDY 3), away from society to futilely build a new civilization in Central America might be his most invested performance ever. It also may be Ford’s most loathsome character this side of WHAT LIES BENEATH, but the message that lies beneath this forgotten gem can’t be denied: get over yourself.
Author’s Note: I’ve not seen the Apple TV series adaptation (2021-2023) of Paul Theroux’s book the ‘88 film was based on starring his nephew Justin Theroux. Should I?
More later…
