Seis días y siete noches

This romantic comedy and adventure story had a bunch of good and bad things going for or against it., but overall was an enjoying story that was a pleasant diversion. I don't know if I'd own it, but it's worth watching once or twice.

THE GOOD - Some tremendous South Seas island scenery; a good mix of comedy and adventure with attractive leads in Anne Heshe and Harrison Ford; and fast-moving story meaning good entertainment.

THE BAD - Poor messages about fidelity and marriages; an annoying, whining character played by David Schwimmer; too heavy - for family viewing - on the profanity and cleavage.

Ivan Reitman's comedy-drama is as entertaining as it is undemanding. Harrison Ford and Anne Heche are convincing and funny as crabby airline pilot Quinn Harris and jet-setting fashion magazine editor Robin Monroe, contending with being lost on a Pacific island, and battling with some modern-day pirates. Though their course from mutual dislike, through respect and friendship, to the finishing line of love, is familiar, they run it with style. There are the added pleasures of spectacular scenery, realistic flying sequences, and some nifty cutting between a hula dance performance and a crash landing. (Even David Schwimmer, as Robin's waiting boyfriend with a roving eye, is for once reasonably cast.)

In some respects this is a remake of the 1951 classic The African Queen - both involve a snooty woman and a tough guy thrown together in adversity. But a big difference is that, whereas Bogart and Hepburn were aged 52 and 44 when their movie was made, Ford and Heche were 56 and 29. It seems ironic that in those far off pre-feminist-movement days both movie-makers and audiences could accept older leading ladies; while now female stars over 40 can't find roles, and have to watch older male counterparts romancing women young enough to be their daughters.

But most viewers will ignore such considerations, relax, and simply enjoy this cinematic equivalent of "easy listening" music.

I rented this a few days ago having discovered it was a Harrison Ford movie I somehow missed. Even though I'm a big fan of his, I really didn't expect much based on the jacket description. But, Eureka! I was completely charmed by this movie. Ford has a very low key way of delivering comedy and when you see a manly man like him being funny, it is all the more hilarious. Anne Heche is captivating as the gamin New York fashion sophisticate who happens to be very smart & sassy but grounded. She also has a tremendous flair for comedy and she plays off Ford in a grand way that Melanie Griffith couldn't even dream about doing in Working Girl. Griffith sleepwalked through that script whereas Heche embraces her character fully.

There is a very unique thing that happens in this film that we don't see very often and that is how the romantic chemistry builds between the lead characters. It is as natural as the flora and fauna of the island they are trapped on - rather randomly and sometimes awkwardly taking root - and I give a lot of credit to Reitman for capturing this feeling between Ford & Heche. With most films like this, the leads either hop into bed right away and then sort out their differences, or there is no indication of increasing mutual affection until the last 10 minutes when someone slaps their forehead and a light goes on. In this movie, you see so many small moments when one character is creeping into the heart of the other. Despite this, it never gets sappy.

I'd rate this movie as a 7 but am giving it an 8 to try to raise its overall score. It's a very, very good romantic comedy with a funny script, witty direction, great tropical locales, and an eclectic but engaging supporting cast.

The script/timing/acting in this movie is excellent, and is a great joy to watch. The perfect timing of the cast and an excellent story make this one of our favorites along with Fifth Element,American President, In and Out, The MatchMaker , The Local Hero and The Mystery Man..

Sinan

I find myself torn after watching this one. The story is interesting enough, with a newly engaged couple going on a tropical vacation only for Heche's career to beckon and draw her away, leading her to Ford and the both of them to wind up stranded on an island.

On the one hand, I actually think the performances of our main cast are all solid. Ancillary characters are all pretty flat but Ford, Heche, Schwimmer (even though he's still pretty heavily Ross) and Obradors are all compelling in their own way, but it's absolutely Ford and Heche's movie and it shows. Both characters felt compelling and well written, especially for the time.

On the other hand, the plot felt forced so many times. Suddenly, pirates! Oh, and is he going to cheat, will he be true? Sure seems like he should go one way and doesn't. Oh and there has to be a forced, life altering romance, right? Who cares if the actors are near 30 years apart and it shows!

In the end, I give a bit more credit to the acting and would say this is worth watching, just be prepared to roll your eyes at some of the contrivances. It wouldn't be my first choice to watch again, but it'sa solid enough movie and worth checking out if you can catch it streaming.