The Honorary Consul is a film that I strongly feel didn't come off. The script which I could spout out great bits of thought provoking dialogue, ala: Christopher Hampton, as having seen the movie, god knows how many times, still made for an interesting affair, something different. Set in Argentina, South America, what have you, Gere who's adequate here, plays the new doctor in town. After a bit of an incident, on his arrival, he becomes good friends with a drunk nothing good for, honorary consul, which Caine plays the part, expertly. He inhibits the character totally, his drunkard, so convincing. When a ex brothel worker, Clara (Carillo, slightly wooden in the role) now married to Caine, comes between the two, where she had lay eyes on Gere earlier, the two start an affair. When the honorary consul is mistaken for a real consul, in an abduction by rebels, friends of Gere's, in return for the release of some of their fellow comrades, the relationship intensifies in this advantageous position. There are a couple of hot scenes, notably that nude intercourse one, trimmed down for t.v. where we are grateful for viewing Carillo's goodies. Gere's fate is sad in this, as the walls close in the attackers. I'm thinking The Honorary Consul, was a rush of story, too brief, for really the impact of the to kick in. The late Robert Hoskins was great as the Chief of Police, in one of his best performances, where a much tamer and pleasant Joaquin Almedia, was good as the chief kidnapper. Check out the torture job on his mate (Martinez's now deformed hand). Too which is heavily confronting, is Gere's father, a prisoner, forced to talk, in some brutal torture methods, one involving being held down in a bath tub of rotten poo. Almost for the second half, the abduction part, I found it sloppy. But seeing Carillo naked, counts for something. Beautiful opening theme song, which we owe thanks to Wings and Paul McCartney. A film worth a view for Caine fans, or even to see a younger Almedia strut his stuff.
Review of Beyond the Limit
