Prior to Medicine Man in 1992, director John McTiernan had produced 3 classics; Predator, Die Hard and The Hunt For Red October. Not wanting to become known as an action director, he turned his attention to this Amazon set medical drama, in which Lorraine Bracco travels into the rain Forest to assist eccentric researcher Sean Connery in his quest to find the cure for cancer. And then came the lash back, for Medicine Man went on to receive mediocre reviews and disappointing box office.
And I'll never understand why, because it's a fantastic movie, mixing mystery, adventure, science and romance. McTiernan's assured directorial style is all over this piece, using the widescreen format to its most spectacular as his camera glides throughout the production designed jungles. Connery, playing a grumpy git initially...while slowly mellowing as he falls for Bracco, is on top form. Bracco herself took quite a bit of criticism for her uncouth, shrill performance...but it's this that makes her endearing. Her banter and strength of character is what form the backbone of the film, and its down to the ability of each performer that we like them as much as we do, even if we don't agree with their decisions.
Jerry Goldsmith's score is one of his best, elevating proceedings to an almost romantically ethereal level as the scientists travel through the roof of the forest canopy.
With Avatar currently highlighting the damage humanity is doing to it's own survival by destroying the rain forests, it's interesting to see a main stream Hollywood movie tackling it here in the 1990's. It's not subtle, but as the years progress, the warnings presented in these films are coming to pass more and more frequently.
Under-rated.
1 comment:
I never really cared for this film much. But I haven't watched it for years and years so probably time I gave it another go.
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