Review of The Mosquito Coast

This 1986 film is about a megalomaniac genius who takes his family to Central America to start a new utopia. His arrogance and naiveness attracts conflict & trouble

This is not an entertaining movie in the conventional sense. Ford usually plays likable heroes, whereas here he's an anti-hero or, more accurately, a raving lunatic. Yes, he still possesses a glimmer of his likable charisma, at first, and his leadership skills, genius and work ethic are all admirable, but all in all he's a rude, obnoxious know-it-all, not to mention a naive idealist.

"The Mosquito Coast" is a very odd and brings to mind other eccentric jungle films like "Fitzcarraldo," "Aguirre, the Wrath of God" & "Sorcerer", as well as the "Vacation" flicks. It's a psychological study with the requisite lessons, some of which include: (Don't read further unless you've seen the film)

• "Pride goeth before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."

• In trying to escape society, a person will eventually mirror its evils. Society, regardless of its quality (pleasant or miserable), is largely inescapable. It's like the only salesman in town. He can cuss you out, charge whatever he wants, and even beat you with the item you need/desire. You can either take this or try to make the product yourself, which may be difficult or nigh impossible. Allie didn't like it so he went elsewhere. It takes a unique person to pick up and leave the comforts of society, a strong and talented person. However, such a personality usually has a dark side, which isn't revealed until the second half of the picture. What happens when/if this 'dark side' goes unchecked? Eventually, Allie becomes an inescapable society unto himself. His family cannot leave him for the same reasons he couldn't leave society: inability to procure food and shelter, lack of safety, lack of luxury, etc. Allie provides them with all these. In return, he requires their complete loyalty in working toward his goals and tolerates no disobedience. He becomes the same monster as the society he so badly wanted to leave. Hence, his son (River Phoenix) becomes the person he was at the beginning, albeit the dictatorial 'society' his son is trying to escape is Allie himself!

• The inherent problems of a utopian society in a dystopian world. Their little village was for all intents and purposes practically perfect: self-sufficient, organized, ecologically sound, non-violent, etc. Then a few thugs with guns come along and ruin everything. It's basically saying that human society has and always will be dominated by those with the power to kill. In creating a perfect society, Allie didn't think ahead to the prospect of negative external influences. He thought he could isolate himself from the insanity and madness of the rest of the world. As a naive idealist, Allie really didn't want to face or accept the possibility of violence or having to protect his town. It's just common sense that anything good will tried to be taken sooner or later by someone bad. Allie may have been correct in criticizing America for its decadence and allowing a culture of greed & stupidity to flourish, but he was wrong to criticize America for having a strong military with formidable weapons.

• No matter where you go in this world corruption/evil/violence exists. Even if you're at a lagoon that's not on a map, pieces of corruption will naturally float ashore. Nature itself is corrupt: Nature's heat burns your skin like fire then drowns you in a flood, not to mention you slowly grow old and eventually die. Even if you're intelligent and talented enough to overcome all such external problems, what about the evil within that we're so easily blinded to, like arrogance, hatred, stubbornness and envy?

• What creates a better lasting society -- science/technology or Christianity/religion? Or Both? The film shows both Allie and the missionary, Spellgood, taking their families to the Mosquito Coast to start societies. Allie's society fails because of his devolving megalomania, whereas Spellgood's is obviously successful -- his village is clean, orderly and happy; they have built a magnificent church and comfortable housing; his people are clothed and fed; they sing so sweetly that Allie's children mistake them for angels. Spellgood's people may have given up some freedom but in return they had a thriving, disciplined society. Spellgood's success naturally gives birth to another evil within Allie's heart -- envy. He becomes so envious and hateful, in fact, that he literally tries to incinerate Spellgood's jungle utopia! It should be pointed out that Spellgood isn't depicted in the film as the 'good guy.' It's obvious that he's a bit of a loon himself with the typical negative connotations of Christian ministers usually seen in movies. In fact, it's clear that Spellgood is a megalomaniac like Allie. So what's the difference between the two? Unlike Allie, Spellgood has faith in and submits to something beyond himself, something greater -- God -- and this belief and reverence keeps his pride in check, that is, keeps him humble. Evidence of this is shown in the church scene where the congregation watches Spellgood on TV; his sermon doesn't attempt to bring glory to himself but rather focuses on teaching the people how to commune with the Almighty, using a telephone as a simple object lesson. Which brings us to...

• Having no faith except in yourself is not good. Allie believed that technology and his genius alone would save them, but it was this that destroyed them. Allie had no faith but in himself. When this happens one's pride remains unchecked and will run its natural course. Most important to him was freedom -- yet only for himself, he was a tyrant with his family; such freedom leaves him dead and his family alienated, impoverished and lost, yet thankfully not totally without hope.