• A unique and rich take on the comedy, the fish-out-of-water comedy
  • If there are 10 reviews 8 mention how “charming” it is and it extremely charming. Affirming– filled with Forsyth’s splendid wit
  • Love the scene of the oil executives whispering because their boss (a perfectly cast Burt Lancaster) is sleeping through the meeting— quirky memorable touches throughout like this
  • Love the comet and constellations conversation from Lancaster as a rich eccentric with a good heart—there aren’t any villains in this film or any Forsyth film- if you watch a lot of movies you keep waiting for one—the innkeeper, the rich eccentric, etc- it’s a very nice breathe of fresh air not to have a villain or normal character/theme arcs and tropes
  • It’s poorly edited- choppy and this isn’t Godard messing with the jump cut or conventions
  • Again- the small moments like Gordon dancing on his desk celebrating that he’s going to be rich
  • Forsyth has been compared to the Ealing comedies—it’s not—he’s not the English John Hughes either- the Ealing comedies were darker and Hughes more melodramatic
  • The Mark Knopfler guitar is stunning- the soundtrack was a huge success—Knopfler would do Princess Bride– this is a superb score
  • Every character has a quick—Lancaster with the constellations, scuba diver/mermaid girl, the assistant who knows 20 languages, the man who is paid to fight and torment Lancaster is indelible as well- these are rich, colorful character
  • Scenic beaches and that great northern lights scene
  • Writing like “I wonder what the poor people are doing tonight?” by a poor barkeep who hasn’t even come into his money yet. You also have the “I’ll make a good Gordon, Gordon” line- which is great
  • Even the beach/town itself is quirky- it’s not just the millionaire who doesn’t care who lives on and owns the beach but the town has bomb testing
  • The finale is great- the lonely apartment of a very good Peter Riegert—looking out along the city skyline and then the call placed to the old Scottish city
  • Recommend but doesn’t make my top 10 of 1983 after one viewing