The film version of the "Mosquito Coast" struggled to begin production. Peter Weir was enthusiastic about directing, yet John Hellman (the producer) couldn't seem to get financial support from any major film studio. Most of the studios felt that the script was uncommercially too bleak and depressing.
While Hellman continued his search for financial backing, Peter Weir went on to direct "Witness"- a movie that garnered critical acclaim and transformed Weir's direction into highly sought after property. Suddenly every major film studio was willing to support "The Mosquito Coast," but Hellman chose to receive backing from Saul Zaentz- an independent producer. Over twenty million dollars were financed by Zaentz to allow on-location production in Belize.
Production Begins in Belize
Harrison Ford eventually signed on to play Allie Fox (after Jack Nicholson turned the part down to star in "Terms of Endearment"). Helen Mirren was cast as his loyal wife and River Phoenix agreed to play his eldest son, Charlie. Both Weir and Ford were enthusiastic about working together again (Ford starred in "Witness"). Ford commented to an interviewer: Harrison Ford considered the role of Allie Fox to be a great opportunity, and he was elated about finally playing a character with such great complexity and depth. This character clearly differed from any previous role he had ever held before. Ford noted that "Allie is a complicated person, and it's a complicated job for the audience to figure him out. He's a good father and a bad father. He's a monster, a clown, a fool, a genious."
Peter Weir wanted to avoid the falsities that often accompany filming on a hollywood backlot, thus the cast and crew were flown into Belize. Paul Theroux even flew down to watch the production. Although the cast and crew had to endure weeks of stifling heat and humidity, they recognized the importance of filming in a REAL jungle. Disappointing Critical Reception
Though some critics appreciated the dramatic originality and innovative vision of "The Mosquito Coast," most critics dismissed the film as a failure of sorts.
Harrison Ford, on the other hand, generally received good reviews for his portrayal of Allie Fox, and he was nominated for a Golden Globe Best Actor Award. Ford was frustrated by the negative reception of the film, and he sent a letter to the Philadelphia Inquirer, stating:
The role of Allie Fox still remains as one of Ford's least seen performances.
Allie Fox's ambition seems to control his tragic fate from the beginning. I think everybody has moments when he/she realizes just how destructive society has become, but Allie acts upon these realizations. It's not difficult to admire the amount of bravery it took to leave everything and build up an entire civilization from scratch. But I do, however, think that a person can be extraordinarily brave without being minutely heroic.
Was Allie heroic? He was able to transform the lives of several uncivilized natives, yet he never asks his family or the natives if they are happy with their new lives. He never seems to lend a single thought to how his drastic actions affect everyone else. Allie does ask Charle, "How am I doing?" But this question should have been, "How are you doing?" The statement displays Allie's concern over how his family views his work, but it also serves as further emphasis of his self-absorption.
Also, early in the film Allie notes, "It would take courage to go [to the jungle]." The idea of doing something courageous is appealing to him, thus his further actions seem misdirected. Allie recognizes the serious problems that exist in the jungle, so he builds an enormous ice machine and constantly repeats, "ice is civilization."
"The Mosquito Coast" is also a movie about complex relationships. The Foxes appear to be a pretty close knit family. The relationship is shown through both Charlie's intense idolization of Allie and a few scenes depicting the family's closeness (ex.- singing in the car, Thanksgiving dinner). Allie appears care about his family, and they all work together to achieve Allie's dreams of civilization upon the coast. But unfotunately this happiness does not last long..The family starts to fall apart as Allie becomes more and more narrow-minded. Allie wants unconditional respect and love from his wife and children, but he doesn't realixe that he must respect their feelings too. As Allie becomes more absorbed with his plans, he begins to lose all of the ideals which he preaches so passionately in the opening of the film. He ends up lying to his children and commiting murder!!! He claims that he is doing everything in the Mosquito Coast to better the lives of wife and children, but he ends up making them miserable...It's ironic. Allie left the US to escape corruption, but ends up seeped within a corruption of his own making.
Peter Weir's direction is excellent. He does a wonderful job capturing the contrasting beauty and danger of the jungle. I especially liked the scene where Allie and his wife are laughing at their exhaustion from the day's hard work. Weir cuts the camera away, and as the laughter echoes through the jungle, we can see a shadow creep heavily over the treetops. It is a sign of the inevitable tragedies which loom silently over Allie and his family.
To sum it up, I really enjoyed "The Mosquito Coast." It presents lots of ideas about life and humanity while also being quite funny at times. The dialogue is excellent in this film and Harrison Ford's acting is impeccible- Allie really has some great one-liners. The movie loses its steam toward the ending and becomes rather bizarre, but that's ok...the many high points of this film make it worthwhile....go see it. * Robert Ebert's Review -"Some kinds of bores you will tolerate, and other kinds you will not. 'The Mosquito Coast' has the misfortune to be about the second kind of bore...."
* TV Guide Review -A short review and gives a 3.5 rating. Includes a lengthy cast and credits list.
* Duane Byrge's Daily Variety Review -A very well thought out review- Byrge supports himself well and makes several good observations about "The Mosquito Coast."
* Rita Kempley Review -Kempley recognizes both the complexities and weaknesses of the film.
* Paul Attanasio's Review -"'The Mosquito Coast" is the worst kind of failure--a near miss that's sometimes great." This review spends a lot of time in praise of Ford's performance, but also touches upon the film's many flaws. Attanasio's review is very insightful, mentioning points that the other film critics failed to cover.
* Daily news Interview -This interview with Harrison Ford touches briefly upon "The Mosquito Coast" and his feelings about acting.
* W. Wolf Interviews Harrison Ford -A fairly short interview. Ford mentions his feeling about the film.
* The Films of Peter Weir -This site is dedicated to the filmwork of Peter Weir. It's interesting reading and definitely a must-see for fans of "Witness" and "The Mosquito Coast."
"Weir is exrememly hard on himself, but he always ends up with high quality. I'm much the same way in terms of being hard on myself. The combination of our two personalities stimulates each other. We come from different backgrounds, but our ideas are surprisingly similar."
Over 300 Belizians were hired to help construct the massive set- virtually a whole town had to be built.
Ford amused and impressed everyone by periodically helping out the crew. He once stated that, "..the collar around my neck is blue. I know what it is to work and work hard. Acting is a job, a responsibilty, a complete task- all those things. I approach all work from a workman's point of view. I expect to get my hands dirty, to get into a sweat and work overtime."
"I have never seen a serious film treated so badly by the critics. And I think they're wrong. Its a very ambitious piece and I would like people to see it."
"'The Mosquito Coast' is worth three and a half frogs out of five. It is good entertainment!" (Grade: B)
and a half frogs
The strongest point of "The Mosquito Coast" is definitely its concept- the intensely fascinating struggle of a man consumed by his ambition (a common Shakespearian theme- remember Macbeth?? But don't fret. "The Mosquito Coast" is much more tolerable. No offense, William). The "ambition" concept alone is the sustaining force of this film, yet the additions of excellent dialogue, flawless acting, and Peter Weir's direction make "The Mosquito Coast" a powerful film with great insight into society, life, and human relationships.
I was also impressed with the scene where Allie is both sawing a tree and yelling belligerently about the world's corruption to one of the natives. The buzz of the saw overpowers his voice, yet he continues to talk. This scene can be interpreted two ways. I thought perhaps it represented his struggle for understanding, for the boy cannot comprehend a word he's saying. But then the scene can also be symbolic of Allie's selfishness, for he doesn't even realize that the boy can't hear him. He just keeps on talking despite the fact that no one around him understands. This scene reiterates the idea that Allie doesn't connect very well with people. In fact, Allie seems much more comfortable with machines than with humans. Throughout the film Allie humanizes the various parts of his inventions, calling the numerous tubes "kidneys" and "intestines".
I plan to respond to the critics...I'll have this section up soon...
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