Local Hero - Good Film Recommendation from Jezza

"philaDLJ" (philadlj) 02/19/2016 at 11:46 • Filed to: peter capaldi, jeremy clarkson, top gear, uk, scotland, local hero, films, movies, porsche 930, ford cortina, burt lancaster

1

2

For movie night, my roommate just happened to pick a film mentioned by Jeremy Clarkson as one of his favorites in the Argentina Special: Local Hero. I was finally able to see it, and found it a gloriously immersive 80s Scottish village slice-of-life.

To my surprise, it featured a young Peter Capaldi in it (uttering nary an f-bomb!) as well as Burt Lancaster as a highly eccentric Houston-based oil tycoon with a ridiculous collection of high-tech (for the 80s) toys (kind of a proto-Bert Cooper). Peter Riegert also does good work in the ostensible lead role.

Cars-wise it’s a little thin, but it opens with a Porsche 930, there’s a Ford Cortina, and a stately Lincoln limo with a matte paint job.

The film also avoids the usual “town has to stand up to The Man” tropes that often befall such films. Watch it if you haven’t, especially if you enjoyed Last of the Summer Wine.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > philaDLJ 02/19/2016 at 12:27

1

This is one of my favorite movies. It’s one of the most genuinely nice movies I’ve ever seen. I remember renting it by chance when I was like twelve years old or so and have been in love with it ever since.

philaDLJ > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 02/19/2016 at 13:14

0

“Genuinely nice” - I know what you mean. And without ever getting sappy or maudlin. There’s some deep and dark themes in play, but they’re all handled with a light, deft touch.