(Bill Forsyth/1983/UK)
Coming off the back of the
success of Gregory’s Girl and having produced two youth orientated films Bill
Forsyth took a step into more mature concerns with Local Hero; although you
could argue the characters and their hopes and worries are extensions of those
in his previous efforts. It tells the story of a big oil company man touched by
the natural beauty of a place and the warmth of its community, things lacking
in his own life in Houston, Texas. His time spent in Ferness changes him irrevocably,
but the film isn’t sentimental or idealistic. Mac is in Ferness to get a job
done and that job does get done but the beauty of Local Hero is that it creates
space for compromise through the discovery of another way of life and thinking
in Mac. It is wonderfully funny and light of touch in its message. 
Sometimes the universe aligns so
that elements of life coalesce to produce something truly extraordinary and I
believe Forsyth was not only aware of this but lucky enough to have it happen
with this film. But that’s not to detract from his skills as a film maker; as
director he shaped the various elements in Local Hero into his best work and managed
to channel a commercial sensibility into his own brand of cinematic philosophy
to widen the appeal. The result is a film that transcends its place within
early 80’s cinema and is capable of reaching out and touching the minds and
souls of viewers decades later. It is his finest film and a work of affirmation
and joy which deserves to be seen by all.
(4/5)
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