Well, another Monday can only mean one thing… time for another installment of Disc Dive! This week I have an eBay blind-buy that I watched for the first time. Pack your bags because we’re heading to Scotland with… Local Hero (1983).
Title: Local Hero
Director: Bill Forsyth
Released: February 17, 1983 (Theatrical – United States)
Runtime: 1 hour 51 minutes
Disc Format: Criterion Blu-ray
MacIntyre aka “Mac” (Peter Riegert) is an oil executive who works for Knox Oil and Gas in Houston, Texas. Though, as his name might lead you to believe, he isn’t Scottish. In fact, his parents were Hungarian immigrants who thought that MacIntyre sounded like an “American” surname.
Mac’s boss, Felix Happer (Burt Lancaster), chooses Mac to close a deal for a refinery in Scotland. No, it isn’t because of his experience. Happer just assumed Mac was Scottish and so why not send him to Scotland. Though Happer has another task for Mac besides just closing this deal. Mac needs to keep an eye on the night skies and notify Happer of any irregularities he might see.
While Mac would much rather conduct business over the phone, he reluctantly agrees to make the trip to the village of Ferness in Scotland. Upon arriving, he meets up with a local Knox representative by the name of Danny (Peter Capaldi). With Danny’s help, Mac slowly begins to adapt to the Ferness way of life. Compared to Houston, Ferness offers a much slower pace of life, along with a strong feeling of community.
As Mac finds himself wanting a change of pace in his own life, he’s continually feeling the pressure from Happer to close this deal and clear the way for a refinery.
Meanwhile, Mac reports back to Happer regarding “strange” occurrences in the night sky. These occurrences are actually the aurora borealis and Mac is mesmerized by them.
Will Mac’s newfound love of the town of Ferness prevent him from closing the deal for Knox Oil and Gas?
Local Hero (1983) is not going to be for everybody.
If you see this billed as a comedy and are looking for a witty or even slapstick comedy, look elsewhere.
However, if you can appreciate subtle situational comedy, you just might be in luck.
This is a film that rewards patience.
You are introduced to a number of characters and, as things unfold, you slowly begin to understand and connect with them on a deeper level. While there are some side characters, they aren’t merely plot devices. Everyone in Ferness plays a vital role in the success of that town and an equally important role in whether or not the town will be sold.
Despite there being times where it may feel like nothing is happening, there is a constant juxtaposition of themes at play ranging from capitalism and environmentalism to personal transformation and a feeling of belonging and everything in-between.
Though I don’t want to get into all of that too much and risk spoiling anything here.
From the humanistic touches in the script, to the beautiful cinematography courtesy of DP Chris Menges and the performances from everyone on the call sheet, Local Hero (1983) is one that I will be revisiting for years to come.
If you’ve yet to see it, please consider this a recommendation to fix that as soon as possible.
So, if you have seen Local Hero (1983) I want to hear from you!
Leave a comment below or reach out on Bluesky and tell me what you thought of it!
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