In “Continental Divide 1981,” a gruff Chicago newspaper columnist (John Belushi) falls for a delicate bird-watcher (Blair Brown) during a wilderness assignment in the Rocky Mountains. Though they are like eagles and sparrows, the yin and yang couple indulges in a whirlwind romance before he must return home to his gritty city life. They exchange letters until fate intervenes and they must reconnect, but this time, in each other’s element. The movie is about love taking flight, even if it means soaring beyond comfort zones.
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Review
Continental Divide: A Journey of Love and Wilderness
Simon Sinek once said, “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” This quote perfectly captures the essence of the movie, Continental Divide. Released in 1981, this romantic comedy adventure film directed by Michael Apted tells the story of a rugged Chicago newspaper columnist and his unconventional relationship with a delicate bird researcher.
The movie revolves around the life of Ernie Souchak (John Belushi), a hard-hitting journalist who is famous for exposing corruption, scandals, and crime in Chicago. When he gets too close to a criminal organization and is brutally attacked, his editor sends him on an assignment that would change his life forever. He is sent to the Rocky Mountains to meet Nell Porter (Blair Brown), an eccentric scientist who studies bald eagles.
Initially, the two struggle to get along as they don’t see eye-to-eye on anything. Ernie is rugged and masculine while Nell is delicate and refined. But as they embark on their journey through the wilderness, they begin to develop feelings for each other.
The movie’s title refers to the challenges that both characters face during their trek across the Continental Divide, which separates two major watersheds in North America. As they navigate through treacherous terrain and wild animals, their love blossoms.
One of the most significant aspects of this movie is its character development. John Belushi plays Ernie Souchak brilliantly by bringing his signature humor and charm to the role while also adding depth and emotion to it as he grows throughout the film. Blair Brown’s portrayal of Nell Porter is convincing as she transforms from a timid researcher to a confident adventurer.
While Continental Divide was not a commercial success at its release due to various reasons such as John Belushi’s death just after filming was completed or its vulgar humor not fitting with some critics’ tastes at that time, it still gained a cult following due to its timeless themes of love, adventure, and self-discovery.
The film was shot on location in some of the most scenic areas of the Rocky Mountains, making the landscape an important character in itself. The cinematography and use of sound effects and music add depth to the film, creating an immersive experience for the audience.
One particular scene that stands out is when Ernie and Nell are stranded on a mountaintop during a thunderstorm. This scene perfectly captures the intensity and beauty of nature while also showcasing the growing intimacy between Ernie and Nell.
The movie’s soundtrack includes “Continental Divide” by Michael Small. The theme song captures the essence of the movie with its upbeat rhythm and melodic phrases.
Although Continental Divide did not receive any major awards or nominations, it remains a beloved classic amongst those who appreciate romantic comedies that have heart as well as humor.
In summary, Continental Divide is a movie that tells a story of love, adventure, growth, and self-discovery. It’s a classic romantic comedy that has stood the test of time. While it may not have been commercially successful at its release in 1981 due to various reasons such as John Belushi’s sudden death or critics’ tastes at that time, its themes are timeless – two individuals from different worlds come together during their journey across rugged terrain to discover they had what they were looking for all along – each other.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 103
- Release : 1981-09-18
- Genre : Comedy, Romance
- Cast : John Belushi as Ernie Souchak, Blair Brown as Nell Porter, Allen Garfield as Howard McDermott, Carlin Glynn as Sylvia, Tony Ganios as Max Bernbaum
- Crew : Steven Spielberg as Executive Producer, John Bailey as Director of Photography, Lawrence Kasdan as Writer, Dennis Virkler as Editor, Michael Small as Original Music Composer
- Popularity 7.968
- Budget : 0
- Revenue : $15,578,237
- Company : Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment
- Summary : A hard-nosed Chicago journalist has an unlikely love affair with an eagle researcher.
- Tagline : When they met they heard bells. And that was just round one.
