This appears to be a movie that partially succeeds in it's message of maintaining a semblance of humanity where it could have been an exercise in all out anti-capitalism. Oil industry executives 'Mac' MacIntyre (Peter Riegert) and his boss, Felix Happer (Burt Lancaster), undergo a serious change of heart regarding their plans to build an oil refinery on the shores of a Scottish village, due primarily to their own inner conflicts and the outgoing personality of an old time beachcomber named Ben Knox (Fulton Mackay). That Ben coincidentally has the last name of Happer's company, Knox Industries, may or may not lead one to conclude that the Knox family patriarch at one time was swindled by a big business concern. The thought did occur to me when Ben's full name was revealed, but it's never confirmed in a definitive way, thus leaving it to the viewer's own imagination. There are some funny and poignant moments in the picture, introduced it seems, to insert an element of whimsy into the story. However depending on one's disposition, Marina's (Jenny Seagrove) webbed feet might elicit either a chuckle or a groan in reaction. To maintain that magical, mystical feeling, the story line could have done a better job to keep that fanciful feeling alive throughout. I didn't know how to react for example, when Mac's adopted rabbit wound up on the dinner table - "I'm sorry Mac, but we eat rabbits here".For those who enjoyed this movie, I'd recommend crossing the Atlantic to a picture that takes place in the American Southwest. "The MIlagro Beanfield War" has a similar story line of a small town being seduced by greedy corporate fat cats, though in this instance, it's the little guys who eventually win out. The film has a bigger name cast that blends in nicely with local talent without stepping on their toes. It achieves a spirituality that "Local Hero" doesn't quite reach though it tries, with a guardian angel that might have added a touch of capricious humor to the proceedings here.

The charm of this film has worn off for me. The casual sexism grates, the fantasy of the benevolent petroleum company CEO is grotesque, and the scene where the villagers swarm onto the beach makes me think more of Wicker Man than anything else. Of course that might have been Bill Forsyth's intention.For purposes of Capaldiwatching, this is essential, as this was the breakthrough role that made baby Capaldi's name as an actor. All his best qualities, the authenticity, the sincerity, the artful way with the eye-catching gesture, are all there in this pretty, coltish young man with the wonderful gray eyes. He'd have much better roles as he aged into them. But this is special. When a friend told me that Peter Capaldi was the new Doctor I couldn't place the name until she mentioned he'd been in Local Hero, and I suddenly said, "Yes! The one with the facility for languages!" Nearly three decades and it still stuck with me.

Local Hero has been one of my favourite films for years, and will always remain so. And it's nice to see how many of the reviews on here are positive as well. This is such an understated (and often misunderstood) film. The main thing to say: all those people complaining that the film is really slow and doesn't seem to go anywhere, clearly you've never lived in a small village. It's a pretty much perfect depiction of life in such a place. Nothing really happens, and it's all very sleepy. That's the whole point of the film! The acting may not be overly theatrical, but again that's the point. The script doesn't really leave room for grand performances, and so everything is kept on a very real level. It's true, the comedy is very subtle and some moments can easily be glossed over and missed. But the gentle nature of this film is part of its charm. The story itself is also gentle and takes its time. Just let it wash over you and you'll be swept away in no time. The director certainly did a good job of utilising the stunning locations, and the shots of the beach are just incredible. And I have to tip my hat to Mark Knopfler as well. This has to be one of my favourite soundtracks of all time. If you're inherently a city person and can't fathom the attraction of the country, this may not be the film for you. But to anyone else out there who's not seen Local Hero, I highly recommend it.

This is a lovely film that comes out of nowhere and captures your imagination. Films of the same ilk are Trout Fishing in the Yemen, Waking Ned Devine, the Decoy Bride, and Field of Dreams. If you like these, you will like this film. It takes a subject of little interest to most, the capitalization of an isolated village in Scotland for profit, and because of brilliant characterization and dialog, creates something lasting that you can comment on 25 years after you watched it for the first time. I don't know why I chose to see this move initially. I do know why I rank it as one of my favorite films. The soundtrack is haunting, with Mark Knoffler at his creative prime. The characters are truly unique, the script natural and intelligent. I loved seeing a senior Burt Lancaster at his very best. That is saying something for a man that stole the scenes in so many great films over his career. The scenery is spectacular and filmed in such a way to convey the both the harshness and the vulnerability of Northern Scotland. - Daryl P.