Local Hero

It's always an odd thing talking about Bill Forsyth, one of Scotland's most famous filmmakers. In the states, his work has received heaps of praise by critic communities and audiences alike. But if I were to be questioned a decade ago about who he is, I wouldn't have any idea who you were talking about. That isn't to say that my tastes have refined or expanded over the past ten years, he's just not held up in the same pantheon that so many filmmaking giants are. This is my way of saying he deserves to be among those giants.

1983's "Local Hero" may be his most well-known film, but it's a project that's clearly indicative of Forsyth's warmhearted sensibilities; a touch so light and effortless that it puts others to shame.

It's no wonder the filmmaker has been compared to Ernst Lubitsch, as Forsyth has a similar sense of wit and eye for natural beauty. Now available on a Blu-ray sourced from a gorgeous 2K restoration by Goldcrest Films and the Criterion Collection, this kindhearted drama will hopefully go on to be loved by modern audiences for years to come.

Mac Macintyre (Peter Reigert) is a hotshot sales executive for Knox Oil when he's assigned to convince the denizens of a small seaside community in Scotland that their home is where a new oil refinery should be built. As Mac meets more and more of the local citizens, he starts to lose sight of the reason he was sent there. Felix Happer (Burt Lancaster), the CEO of Knox Oil, realizes this and tries to set the deal straight, but even he finds himself transfixed by the town and its many distinct characters.

You've probably seen a fish out of water comedy somewhat like "Local Hero," but probably not with the same precision and vision that Forsyth displays. Many of the quirky things about Mac's predicament feel natural and lived-in. There isn't any judging, only a quest for better understanding. Plus, Forsyth knows exactly how to earn his most beautiful sequences. A lesser director could get lost in the beauty of the village and have it undercut any of the drama, yet "Local Hero" never loses sight. And as for the sly satire on corporate greed, I can't remember the last time I've seen similar approaches done with such subtlety. There are so many spots in the story for things to head into a clearer denouement of the horrors done by companies like Knox Oil, but that kind of revelation is better reserved for films with less on its brain.

In a new conversation between Forsyth and film critic David Cairns, Forsyth remains humbled by all of Cairns' praising. He comes off like a man that wants to take audiences on emotional journeys that align with his sensibilities. We're just lucky that those sensibilities feel like a saving grace amongst the hatred and vitriol of today. That isn't to say that the director is the filmmaker for our moment, it's that he's the filmmaker for every moment. Other special features include:

� Audio commentary with Forsyth and film critic Mark Kermode
� "Shooting from the Heart" -- a 1985 documentary about the work of cinematographer Chris Menges
� "The Making of "Local Hero"" -- documentary originally shot during production
� "I Thought Maybe I'd Get to Meet Alan Whicker," – a 1983 interview with Forsyth
� Booklet with essay by film scholar Jonathan Murray

"Local Hero"
Blu-ray
$39.95
https://www.criterion.com/films/28709-local-hero