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Summary: the myth of the simpler way of life¿
Review: Having just read Shakespeare's "As You Like It," I am struck by some of the affinities it shares with Bill Forsyth's classic "Local Hero." Both are comedies that will not seem funny in the least unless you pay a good deal of attention. Both play and movie deal with the all too familiar theme of the idyllic notion of a slower, seemingly easier life. Just as Shakespeare turned convention on its head, Forsyth also gives us more than we seemingly bargained for in coming to this wonderful movie.It is to be expected that Mac McIntyre, the urban dwelling, ever-busy oil company employee should fall in love with the quieter, more laid-back life of rural Scotland. This is how these stories often go. There are plenty of comedies where protagonists like Mac make this discovery. They usually (as Mac does here) return to "civilization," and realize how much they miss the boondocks. Then they move to the country for good. No big surprises. What is surprising here is the portrayal of the Scottish townspeople. They too think the grass is greener on the other side. When Mac shows up with his big checkbook, they are more than willing to leave the old ways of their seemingly boring existence. This rings far more true than most such tales where the knowing townsfolk allow the protagonist to become self-actualized beings through application of rest and simple wisdom. The townsfolk here (for the most part) couldn't really give a rip about Mac as long as he pays out the money for their land. This is not to say that Mac does not find camaraderie and friendship among some of the townsfolk. How else would he "find himself" in the end? The humor of this comedy comes not from gags (with the exception, of course, being a bit about a rabbit). It comes from Mac's interactions with unconventional supporting characters. It comes also from the flouting of stereotypical plot conventions. Peter Riegert does a solid job as Mac. Burt Lancaster is great as his loopy, stargazing employer, Felix Happer. The soundtrack is definitely from the eighties (Mark Knopfler did a much, much better job with the music for The Princess Bride). Insight into life, a gentle wit and a laid back atmosphere are the real attractions of this movie. I give "Local Hero" a very strong recommendation.
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Summary: Magical!
Review: I agree with the previous reviews which stated that this movie was near perfection. I loved it so much I purchased it and the lyrical qualities it evokes with each viewing only deepens with age. If you can only see one movie in your life, it should be this one.
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Summary: Lovely movie
Review: This basic premise of this movie (someone goes to destroy the quaint atmosphere of a remote location and ends up falling in love with it) is much used, but many times ends up appearing contrived or mushy. Not so with this wonderful film. What the scenery itself doesn't take care of is left to a group of marvelous actors. It doesn't seem like a movie at all. It is closer to a real-life situation than any recent movie I've seen. I love this film.
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Summary: Can't believe I wasted the time - amazing
Review: For those with insomnia - this will fix it.
Pay the postage and take our DVD.
We are stunned that others would recommend such nonesense.
Considering truly great cinema not yet available on DVD - who's the invalid that got this one burned onto disk?
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Summary: Scottish Travelogue
Review: Local Hero takes you someplace you've never been to meet people you've never known and see things never seen. The memorable characters, the clever dialoque, the calming coastal scenery, the hysterical collision of new world and old, the charming Scottish Brogue, the seductive music of Mark Knopfler, all ladeled out with dry British humor, wit, and style make Local Hero a joyously refreshing vacation of the mind. You will return to this place again and again..
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Summary: I return endlessly to this perfect gem.
Review: The rare nice movie that is carried completely by character and dialogue. No violence or chases. One of those movies you wish you'd never seen just so you could watch it for the first time again.
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Summary: My absolute favorite film!!
Review: This is simply my favorite film of all time and that's coming from a guy who's Top 25 list is always in flux. Peter Riegert is wonderful, the rest of the cast is great, the soundtrack...well, I am honored to say I actually heard Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits perform it live in May of '83 when the film was out in theatres and even advertised in the concert program.
I hope to travel to Pennan and the surrounding villages where the film was shot, but I see the shore and the little town whenever I close my eyes.
If you have not seen this film, buy it, catch it now that it's on cable, rent it, buy a used copy, just see it!!
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Summary: A heartfelt and hilarious gem
Review: Local Hero is directed by Bill Forsyth and has the same charm and offbeat humor found in his previous work, "Gregory's Girl". Burt Lancaster stars as an eccentric Texas oil tycoon who sends his employee (the fantastic and underrated Peter Riegert) to a small Scottish town to negotiate the purchase of land for an oil operation. During the last U.S. presidential election, Al Gore named "Local Hero" as his favorite film, and it's easy to see why it's one with which he'd want to be associated. Sure, it's a funny and charming story about interesting characters, but what leaves you with the warm feeling inside is its message that a traditional life is more rewarding than a corporate life -- Porsche included. The "blink and you'll miss it" happy ending is the icing on the cake. A heartfelt and comic gem.
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Summary: A rare treat
Review: This movie is a treasure! When I first saw it in the theater I fell in love with it. What makes it so special are the subtle comic nuances and foreshadowing. The direction of the film is fantastic. Even the smallest characters all contribute to the story as it progresses. If you liked "Waking Ned Devine" you'll love this film.
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Summary: One of my ALL TIME Favourites
Review: This film touches my heart!!! Brilliantly written and directed (Bill Forsyth of Gregory's Girl fame) and acted by Peter Riegert and the Legendary Burt Lancaster (in one of his last super performances), it captures the push-push of modern man coming face to face with the slow, subtle charm of a small Scottish Coastal Village. But the real stars of the shows are the supporting actors providing the quirky characters and wit for which Scots are famous. 'Mac' MacIntyre is sent by Burt Lancaster to Scotland to acquire a wee Scottish coastal village for his Knox Oil. Mac was chosen because of his name, figuring a Scot would have better dealings with the locals beings he was 'one of them'. Only one hitch, Mac is actually a son of Hungarian immigrants who thought the name sounded American!! He arrives in the land of mists, accompanied by Peter Capaldi (Lair of the White Worm), and expects to rap this up in a few short days. Only, he never anticipated the charm of the Scottish pace to infect him and make him fall in love with the place and the people. It catch the wee touches of life of the Scots in the outer areas - from the three choices of tooth paste ( small, medium and large), shampoo ('dry, normal or greasy') to the Selkie who is a marine biologist. From beginning to end, the gentle humour is warm, incisive in a charming way, with Forsyth again offering a wee slice of all things Scottish to the veiwer that discovers this brilliant gem.
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