Local Hero

Charming and optimistic, Local Hero manages to ilicit the feeling of a modern fairytale within traditional Hollywood storytelling. However, what is unique, is that it never manages to fall in the same pitfalls and conventional plot threads so persistent in this sort of film. Rather it brings forth an engaging, thorough provoking, charming, and  intriguing piece of Cinema, to warm the cuckolds of our heart.

The story falling the conventional route of a love-lost, work consumed young man, MacIntyre, who arrives at a small village with damaging motives; to purchase their village to make an oil refinery and plant. Albeit gradually he slowly learns his way with the help of small village folk. However, this story doesn't navigate the way you would expect. The villagers do not come off as simple sage's who help the protagonist with philosophical ruminations. Rather, they are as eager to hand of their village for the hope of capitalistic and monetary success. The main character is not as surly or as rude as you would imagine at the beginning of the film, but rather more of a lost soul. He does not find love, interestingly enough the love plot is handled with two other starring roles. He does lust after the innkeeper/accountant/bartenders wife, but nothing comes of that. The enlightenment and solution to stop the plant isn't even implemented or solved by him; rather the stereotypical oil tycoon (Burt Lancaster) who has a celestial and nautical epiphany. Lastly, the understanding of the village for the protagonist isn't fully realized in the film, but rather heavily suggested.

Compounded into all these elements director Bill Forsyth manages to make a sort of sentimental fairytale but without burdening to heavily with ham fisted conventions and melodrama.  Although it was interesting to see how the three layers of deliberation and use for the land mimicked their literal use. The secret and clandestine reality of the land for an oil refinery which is ultimately used for the procurement of underground material, is kept buried from Marina the local oceanographer.  Although in the end, it moves from its hidden roots, to fully presented as full and open ideas; boundless and creative possibilities, in the form of a marine research center and observatory.

In the end Local Hero is a small and sweet  film, with natural and charming acting from it's entire cast. The film's soundtrack, compliments the film perfectly, not falling into the trap of the 80s synth, which makes the film fully utilized. Lastly, the cinematography is gorgeous, Chris Menges captures the beautiful and awe inspiring scenery and land of rural Scotland incredibly well. The shots of the beach, and the sun rising is breathtaking; the cinematography alone is worth the price of admission alone.