Amazon.com: The Mosquito Coast (Zaentz): Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, River Phoenix, Conrad Roberts
By Steven Reynolds on December 4, 2002
Format: DVD
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 excellent.  Helen Mirren is near 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.
By J. Michael Click on June 18, 2000
Format: DVD
Harrison Ford gives one of his most forceful and compelling performances as Allie Fox, an inventor who moves his family to the jungle of Central America to establish an isolationist utopia.  As his dream builds, and then  unravels, he moves along the scale from manic genius to meglomanic  obsession, putting him at heightened odds with  God, nature, man, and  finally, his own family. Ford's dazzling performance is enhanced by Helen  Mirren's quiet intensity as his loyal wife, and River Phoenix's thoughtful  portrayal of his observant oldest son.  Look quickly for cameos by Jason  Alexander (TV's "Seinfeld") and Butterfly McQueen ("Gone  With the Wind")!  A beautifully photographed and handsomely mounted  production, perceptively directed by Peter Weir.
The DVD offers both  widescreen and pan & scan tranfers; I preferred the widescreen which  preserves the film's magnificent visual compositions.  Video and sound are  both clear and crisp, and the theatrical trailer makes a nice bonus  supplement.  Recommended for fans of Ford and Weir, and for viewers who  like a strong mix  of character study and action-adventure.
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By MK12249 on December 16, 1999
Format: DVD
Say about this movie what you want, if you like Harrison Ford because of his acting ability, this is the movie to watch.  Ford gives an enticing, complex, and multi-facetted performance as Allie Fox, a man with a vision  of utopia, blind to the reality that binds him.  With his vision and  inventions, Fox takes his family into the rain forests of Central America,  where he sets a chain of events in motion that soon eludes his control and  --in the destructive devastation released on man and nature-- the scope of  his imagination.
Mr. Ford's portrayal of this driven, and in the end  obsessed man is not that of a simple villain.  Through Allie Fox, Mr. Ford  brings to the screen a range of emotions no other character has ever  allowed him to explore and does an amazing job with.  This is the kind of  performance that desrves an Academy Award.
A great, albeit less popular  follow up to 'Witness,' 'The Mosquito Coast' reunites Ford with Australian  director Peter Weir. This is a great movie, visual and character driven.  Finally, it is available in the grand widescreen format it deserves!
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By Victoria Tarrani on July 10, 2004
Format: DVD
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. Read more ›
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