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The Mosquito Coast (1986)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 6.4/10
Reviews Counted: 20
Fresh: 15 | Rotten: 5

Harrison Ford capably tackles a tough, unlikable role, producing a fascinating and strange character study.

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 1
Fresh: 0 | Rotten: 1

Harrison Ford capably tackles a tough, unlikable role, producing a fascinating and strange character study.

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Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 14,157

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Movie Info

Harrison Ford delivers one of his most-acclaimed performances in Peter Weir's adaptation of Paul Theroux's novel (scripted by Paul Schrader). Ford plays Allie Fox, an inventor embittered by the blighted landscape of the contemporary United States. As he tells his oldest son, Charlie (River Phoenix), "Look around you. It's a toilet." He moves his wife (Helen Mirren) and kids -- Charlie, Jerry (Jadrien Steele), April (Hilary Gordon), and Clover (Rebecca Gordon) -- to the rain forests of Central

PG, 1 hr. 57 min.

Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

Directed By: Peter Weir

In Theaters: Dec 1, 1986 Wide

On DVD: Nov 6, 2001

Warner Bros. Pictures

The Mosquito Coast Trailer & Photos

Cast

Harrison Ford
Allie Fox
Helen Mirren
Mother
River Phoenix
Charlie
Jadrien Steele
Jerry
Hilary Gordon
April
Rebecca Gordon
Clover
Andre Gregory
Rev. Spellgood
Dick O'Neill
Mr. Polski
Martha Plimpton
Emily Spellgood
Melanie Boland
Mrs. Spellgood
Michael Rogers
Francis Lungly
Jason Alexander
Clerk
Raymond Clare
1st Convert
Tiger Haynes
Mr. Semper
Butterfly McQueen
Ma Kennysick
William Newman
Capt. Smalls
Conrad Roberts
Mr. Haddy
Alice Sneed
Mrs. Polski
Abel Woolrich
Mercenary
Jorge Zepeda
Mercenary
Margaret Cho
Verny
Rafael Cho
Leon
Sofia Cho
Alice
Aurora Clavel
Mrs. Maywit
Emory King
Man at Bar
Juan Antonio Llanes
Mercenary
Michael Opolu
Bucky
Louis Palacio
Peaselee
Wilfred Peters
Dixon
Aldolpho Salguero
Drainy
Tony Vega Sr
Mr. Maywit
Dianne Crittenden

Critic Reviews for The Mosquito Coast

All Critics (27) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (15) | Rotten (5) | DVD (6)

A stretch for Ford, but worth it. Unique and fascinating character study.

October 16, 2004 Comment

Steve Crum

Kansas City Kansan Source: Kansas City Kansan

Examines the consequences of a father's egotism on his family.

August 26, 2004 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

| Comment

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

Meandering film that doesn't really seem to know where it's going or what it is.

August 27, 2003 Comment

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

It's a testament to Ford's talent that we actually care what happens to him, because in a lesser actor's hands, we'd be hoping that some cannibalistic natives would eat him.

August 1, 2003 Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews

| Comment

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

It's easy to forget how well Harrison Ford can play an unlikable character.

November 1, 2002 Comment

Rob Vaux

Flipside Movie Emporium

Harrison Ford gives one of his best performances in this underrated film.

September 27, 2002 Comment

Larry Carroll

Countingdown.com

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for The Mosquito Coast

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Definitely not for all tastes. This challenging film boasts a full committed performance from Harrison Ford, possibly his best work, with strong support by Helen Mirren and River Phoenix. Weir guides us through a complex portrait of a deeply flawed perhaps insane man's quest for what he sees as a simple life but which

September 24, 2007

jay nixon

Super Reviewer

Harrison Ford has made one movie that lost money, this one. Which is a damn shame as it's one of his most interesting. "...(He's) the most dangerous kind of man, a know it all, who is occasionally right." Ford drags his family to South American to bring the ice (and therefore civilization). Chaos ensues.Weir's

May 16, 2007