{"id":86488,"date":"2022-08-27T21:19:35","date_gmt":"2022-08-28T04:19:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=86488"},"modified":"2022-08-27T21:19:35","modified_gmt":"2022-08-28T04:19:35","slug":"local-hero-1983","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=86488","title":{"rendered":"Local Hero (1983)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;I could grow to love this place.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Poster-192x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"192\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-86490\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Poster-192x300.png 192w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Poster-82x128.png 82w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Poster-173x270.png 173w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Poster.png 603w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 192px) 100vw, 192px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nWhen an American oil company representative (Peter Riegert) is sent by his astronomy-loving boss (Burt Lancaster) to negotiate the sale of coastal land in Ferness, Scotland, he is surprised to find that most of the villagers &#8212; with the exception of a beach-owning hermit (Fulton MacKay) &#8212; are eager to sell; meanwhile, he quickly finds himself enchanted by their quirky way of life.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Burt Lancaster Films <\/li>\n<li>Comedy<\/li>\n<li>Scottish Films<\/li>\n<li>Village Life<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Response to Peary&#8217;s Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nAs Peary writes, this &#8220;whimsical, enchanting comedy by Bill Forsyth&#8221; is thematically comparable to &#8220;Frank Capra&#8217;s films&#8221; in that &#8220;innocence is restored to corrupted city-dwellers through contact with small-town folk&#8221; as &#8220;money, power, and work suddenly seem unimportant.&#8221;  Indeed, protagonist &#8220;Riegert finds peace and happiness among the relaxed, friendly oddballs who inhabit this town&#8221;, and &#8220;is soon under the warm spell of the glorious, magical night sky.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Phone-Booth2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Phone-Booth2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"853\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-86535\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Phone-Booth2.png 853w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Phone-Booth2-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Phone-Booth2-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Phone-Booth2-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Phone-Booth2-480x270.png 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Peary notes that &#8220;it is as much a joy for us as it is for Riegert to meet the villagers, especially Denis Lawson, who wears numerous hats &#8212; including innkeeper, philosophical bartender, unofficial mayor, accountant &#8212; yet always has time for a roll in the sack with his wife (Jennifer Black).&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Lawson.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Lawson.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"853\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-86519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Lawson.png 853w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Lawson-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Lawson-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Lawson-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Lawson-480x270.png 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Peary adds that &#8220;then there&#8217;s the pretty marine biologist (Jenny Seagrove) with webbed toes&#8221; who &#8220;may live in the sea&#8221;, who Riegert&#8217;s business companion (Peter Capaldi) instantly falls for. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Capaldi-Seagrove.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Capaldi-Seagrove.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"853\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-86524\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Capaldi-Seagrove.png 853w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Capaldi-Seagrove-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Capaldi-Seagrove-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Capaldi-Seagrove-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Capaldi-Seagrove-480x270.png 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Peary points out that &#8220;the characters [in this film] are <em>never<\/em> predictable&#8221;, and the fact that &#8220;Riegert also soon acts out of character is [an] indication of their ingratiating charm.&#8221; He concludes his review by noting that he finds &#8220;it hard to believe that this town with these people doesn&#8217;t exist.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Villagers.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Villagers.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"853\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-86525\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Villagers.png 853w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Villagers-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Villagers-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Villagers-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Villagers-480x270.png 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I agree with Peary&#8217;s positive assessment of this film, and will simply add that also of note (though unmentioned by Peary) is Burt Lancaster giving a solid performance in one of his quirky later-life roles. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Lancaster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Lancaster.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"853\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-86527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Lancaster.png 853w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Lancaster-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Lancaster-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Lancaster-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Lancaster-480x270.png 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Watch for John Gordon Sinclair &#8212; star of Forsyth&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=86402\"><em>Gregory&#8217;s Girl<\/em><\/a> (1980) &#8212; in a cameo as the boyfriend of a punk rocker. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Sinclair.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Sinclair.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"853\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-86528\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Sinclair.png 853w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Sinclair-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Sinclair-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Sinclair-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Sinclair-480x270.png 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Chris Menges&#8217; cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Cinematography.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Cinematography.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"853\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-86530\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Cinematography.png 853w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Cinematography-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Cinematography-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Cinematography-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Local-Hero-Cinematography-480x270.png 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, as an enjoyable slice-of-life comedy. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Foreign Gem<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0085859\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1983\/02\/17\/movies\/film-local-hero-houston-to-scotland-odyssey.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timeout.com\/movies\/local-hero\">Time Out Capsule Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/81658\/local-hero#articles-reviews?articleId=88473\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/reviews\/review\/74031\">DVD Talk Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;I could grow to love this place.&#8221; Synopsis: When an American oil company representative (Peter Riegert) is sent by his astronomy-loving boss (Burt Lancaster) to negotiate the sale of coastal land in Ferness, Scotland, he is surprised to find that most of the villagers &#8212; with the exception of a beach-owning hermit (Fulton MacKay) &#8212; are eager to sell; meanwhile, he quickly finds himself enchanted by their quirky way of life. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Burt Lancaster Films Comedy&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=86488\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-86488","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-responses-to-peary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86488","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=86488"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86488\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":86539,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86488\/revisions\/86539"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=86488"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=86488"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=86488"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}