Continental Divide *** (1981, John Belushi, Blair Brown, Allen Garfield, Carlin Glynn) – Classic Movie Review 6476

Director Michael Apted’s 1981 self-consciously old-style romantic comedy stars John Belushi and Blair Brown as the city newsman Ernie Souchak and the eagle-spotter Nell Porter, who are stuck together in the Rockies.

Rather unexpectedly, the hard-nosed Chicago newspaper reporter  finds romance in Colorado with the eagle research expert!

Writer Lawrence Kasdan comes up with a pleasant, ambling screenplay (though he doesn’t know how to pack up and tie up his story). And there is a decent cast on good form.

However, probably the film’s main fascination is the experience of Belushi playing against type as a nice guy, which he did again in his next and last movie, Neighbors (1981). However, agreeable though he is as an everyman character, he is no Spencer Tracy. Basically he is for ever Bluto [John Blutarsky] in Animal House (1978). The Ernie Souchak role would have been ideal for Bill Murray.

Steven Spielberg is the executive producer for his Amblin company.

Also in the cast are Allen Garfield [as Allen Goorwitz], Carlin Glynn, Tony Ganios, Val Avery, Tim Kazurinsky, Everett Smith, Bill Henderson, Bruce Jarchow, Ron Dean and Liam Russell.

It is shot by John Bailey, produced by Bob Larson and scored by Michael Small.

Spielberg directed Belushi in 1941 (1979).

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 6476

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