RETRO MOVIE REVIEW: LOCAL HERO, 1983

LOCAL HERO, 1983. Written and directed by Scottish filmmaker Bill Forsyth (GREGORY“S GIRL, 1981 and BREAKING IN, 1989). Starring the legendary Burt Lancaster and Peter Riegert. Soundtrack composed by Mark Knopfler (DIRE STRAITS).

Cultures-clash, corporate greed, environmental preservation, self-awareness, the stars above, and a possible mermaid propel this entertaining film. A bored and disillusioned Texas oil baron, Felix Happer, (Burt Lancaster, THE PROFESSIONALS, 1966 and ATLANTIC CITY, 1980) has singled out a remote seaside village in Scotland for a proposed oil refinery. Happer sends Mac, (Peter Riegert, NATIONAL LAMPOON“S ANIMAL HOUSE, 1978 and THE MASK, 1994) an executive underling and full-fledged yuppie, to Scotland to negotiate terms to buy the picturesque village and the surrounding beach.Â Oh, and while he’s there, to study the constellations in the sky. Cultures clash when Mac, the big city executive, commingles with the oddball community of the village. The culture-class is not so much a sociological conflict as it is more Mac realizing that there is more to life than his big salary, fancy condo, and sports car.

But business is business. The locals are bent on treating Mac like a king in order to seal the deal. Most of the locals are enamored with the thought of a big payday so they can seek a different existence beyond the quiet fishing village. Others are not sure of an existence beyond a livelihood that they have endured for generations is possible. Yet, Mac is ready to give it all up and live in the village like a local. He is torn by the fact that if the village and the beach were sold, the environment would be ravaged by corporate greed. Once again, business is business and Mac must fulfill his obligations to the company.

But there is one hiccup in the road. A local beachcomber owns the beachfront of the village and he is unwilling to sell. This creates a bit of conflict within the community because the other locals want to sell. As the deal begins to stall, Happer decides to pay a visit to the village and conduct the negotiations himself with the local beachcomber. Happer, a third generation oil baron, realizes that there is more to the environment than pillaging for oil. He sees the opportunity to build a scientific and education institution rather than a refinery. Plus, it“s a place where he can study the stars.

Ultimately everybody wins, signifying Mac“s status as somewhat of a “local hero.”“ The village will live on and its community will prosper. Happer finally finds significance in life beyond the corporate structure.Â Although Mac has succeeded, he goes back to his yuppie life with a bit of emptiness.

The layers are deep in this wonderful film and it“s fun to watch it all unfold. LOCAL HERO is filled with silly one-liners and offbeat gags. The characters are full of color against a lush landscape. Mark Knopfler“s brings it all together with a whimsical score.

What makes the film even more relevant is that it is an environmental tale. The themes that were touched upon back in 1983 are even more relevant today.Â Oh, did I mention that there might be a mermaid in the film…?

Check out this cult classic!