Local Hero
Composite Score: 85.53
Starring: Burt Lancaster, Peter Riegert, Fulton Mackay, Denis Lawson, Norman Chancer, Peter Capaldi, Rikki Fulton, Alex Norton, Jenny Seagrove, and Gyearbuor Asante
Director: Bill Forsyth
Writer: Bill Forsyth
Genres: Comedy, Drama
MPAA Rating: PG
Box Office: $5.97 million worldwide
Why should you Watch This Film?
Local Hero is Bill Forsyth’s film about an American oil company employee who is sent to Scotland to negotiate the purchase of a town for the establishment of a new refinery there but finds something more. The film stars Peter Riegert in the leading role of “Mac” MacIntyre who is sent to Scotland by his company’s CEO Felix Happer (Burt Lancaster), assisted there by Danny Oldsen (Peter Capaldi) in negotiating with the local accountant and innkeeper Gordon Urquhart (Denis Lawson) before learning that the biggest wrench in the plans to purchase lies in the person of local eccentric and owner of the beach, Ben Knox (Fulton Mackay). While not widely recognized in the US, the film received wide acclaim in the UK, earning seven BAFTA nominations, including a win for Best Director for Forsyth. The film’s wit and lightness lend it an air of fantasy despite the grounded nature of its story, and it remains one worth watching for its commentary on life in the industrial and postindustrial eras.
Why shouldn’t you Watch This Film?
Local Hero is a near perfect simple comedy for those who enjoy that sort of film, keeping most of its jokes subtle (though not all, I legitimately laughed out loud at this one in a couple of moments) and its commentary on people and the environment under the surface. If that type of comedy isn’t your cup of tea, first off, I’m sorry and I wish you well, but second off, you’ll probably find this film a bit too lowkey for your personal preferences. I like this kind of film, so it’s easy for me to gush about it and the many ways that it engages its audience, but I also recognize that some people come to the movies looking for fast entertainment and big laughs and jokes that are in your face, so while I’d encourage everyone to check this film out, I also totally understand if you’re one of those people who doesn’t like this film quite as much as I did and I don’t fault you for it – even if my previous statement might have been a bit dismissive of your personal opinions.
So wait, why should you Watch This Film?
Bill Forsyth puts so much heart and soul into Local Hero that you immediately become as enamored with it as Mac is with the people and landscape of Ferness. From the comedy, which ranges from subtle and witty to uproarious and slapstick, to the message of environmental protection and anti-fossil fuels, to the film’s overall optimism about people and their relationships with each other and the world around them, everything works toward endearing the film to the audience. It draws you in with its lovable characters, like Mac, Happer, and Danny, and then gets you to root against their personal interests in favor of their personal growth as only the best of narratives do. Ultimately, the film ends, leaving its audience with a sense of longing for more, for something different than their own daily grind, and for something better for the central characters. It’s a beautiful film that has been executed almost perfectly by its writer/director.
The blend of comedy, message, and optimism contained in Local Hero make it an easy and memorable film that deserves its place in the spotlight. It might not be loud or bombastic enough for all movie fans, but those who give it a chance will probably find themselves sucked in just like Mac and Happer. It is currently available for rent on most streaming services if you’d like to check it out in the coming days.
