Local Hero
Posted by martinteller on May 22, 2009
I was surprised to see “Boon” from Animal House (Peter Riegert) starring in this. Not that I should be, of course the man would have done other movies, I’ve just never seen him in any other context. Here he’s again wonderfully affable, the kind of sardonic everyman that a viewer can instantly identify with. I also wasn’t expecting a comedy. I thought it would be a heavy-handed message film about the kindly villagers up against the evil corporation. Instead it takes a much lighter approach with gentle satire. Burt Lancaster is terrific as the eccentric CEO with a penchant for astrology and an abusive therapist. I enjoyed this a lot, and although it isn’t one of my favorites, I can easily see how it could build up a cult following. Rating: 8
