The Mosquito Coast tells the story of
Allie Fox (Harrison Ford), an intelligent yet stubborn man who moves his family
to the jungles of Central America in an attempt to create a simpler life. Allie’s
character can be described as “a monster, a clown, a fool, a genius” (Pfeiffer
157). Dissatisfied with the American way of living, Allie confides in his
oldest son, Charlie (River Phoenix), about his disgust of American consumerism.
Although Allie seems to be a loving father, his personality shows signs of mania
from the very beginning of the film. Allie’s character falls deeper into
fanaticism as the film progresses.
In
the first act of the film, Allie’s first brush with fanaticism comes when he
does not show up to work at the asparagus farm. Allie’s boss, Mr. Polski (Dick
O’Neill), complains that Allie’s absence has caused the asparagus to rot.
However, Allie feels that his absence is justified as he had been working on
his invention, an ice machine called Fat Boy. Allie’s careless actions caused
Mr. Polski’s asparagus to rot, which ultimately harms his business. Allie’s
obsession with his inventions causes harm to others, resulting in him taking a
step into fanaticism.
In
the second act, Allie and his family are forced to travel downstream after an
explosion destroys their home in Jeronimo. When the family arrives at the
coastline, they assume that they will return to their home in America or at
least to a more civilized way of life. However, Allie lies to his family,
telling them that America has been destroyed by a nuclear war. Here, Allie
dives further into fanaticism by insisting his family continue to live a simple
way of life. Allie has become obsessed with living a simple life, surviving
with only bare necessities. His obsession causes his family emotional distress
as well as physical exhaustion. However, Allie feels his actions are just and
that he is in fact helping his family.
In
the third and final act of the film, Allie again takes one more step into
fanaticism. While residing on the coast, Allie and his family’s home is nearly
destroyed by a severe storm. However, Allie has constructed the home so that it
can float, and the family makes it out alive. While traveling upstream, Allie
and his family stumble upon Reverend Spellgood’s (Andre Gregory) compound.
Within the community, they come across a chapel in which the natives are
watching a video of Spellgood like mindless followers. Allie is particularly
disgusted by this and notes that the natives seem brainwashed. Later that
night, Allie sneaks away and burns the chapel down. Once again, Allie’s
obsession and beliefs causes harm to others. Allie feels that by burning the
church down, he is releasing the natives from Spellgood’s religious grip when
in reality it is just endangering the locals. Altogether, Allie’s actions and
beliefs throughout the film put his family as well as others in harms way.
Cody, interesting analysis of the film. I like the scenes you chose, but I think it says a lot about the film and Allie's character that I chose three completely different scenes than you in order to shoe Allie's fanaticism. For the first act, I cited the beginning scene when Allie freaks out inside of the hardware store because the product he was interested in purchasing was made in Japan. I believe this scene sets up audiences to watch Allie's progression into full blown fanatic. For the second act, I chose the scene when Allie chooses to lock the men inside the ice machine and turn it on, hoping they would freeze to death. His lackluster plan backfires, and an explosion occurs that kills the men inside and completely destroys the ice machine. The final scene that I chose was when Allie douses the church in gasoline and sets fire to it, causing his subsequent death. I also agree with the scenes you chose, but I think it says a lot about Allie's character that there are just so many instances that can be cited to show his severe fanaticism. From the very beginning of the film until the very end, his sanity is rocky at best.
ReplyDeleteI like the scenes that you have chosen, though for the first one I concur with Jordan about how he goes crazy at the employee in the store. I think there is the first time where we truly see Allie's beliefs and ideals not only about consumerism but also about America as a whole. Then the second act i think is spot on considering how Charlie is now thinking about his dad and viewing him as a different person. Even though he says he will follow him anywhere he just wants the truth out of Allie because he knows that America hasn't exploded from a nuclear war. As well we can see how he is falling into demise and is going frantic about everything and everyone even his best friend in Jeronimo, Mr. Haddy. He never showed at the beginning Mr. Haddy as less of a man nor as a savage as he does in the second act. Finally for the third act I agree as well but i will add that he is not only putting in harms way everyone he cares, which is his family but as well all the locals by burning down the church. When he does this everyone has lost their patience and as he is about to loose his family. His demise and all his extremists beliefs took him to his own fall by being shot and killed by reverend Spellgood.
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