BILL FORSYTH

Bil’s rating (out of 5):   BBBB.5. 

United Kingdom, 1983.  Enigma Productions, Goldcrest Films International.  Screenplay by Bill Forsyth.  Cinematography by Chris Menges.  Produced by David Puttnam.  Music by Mark Knopfler.  Production Design by Roger Murray-Leach.  Costume Design by Pip Newbery, Penny Rose.  Film Editing by Michael Bradsell. 

American oil company employee Peter Riegert travels to Scotland to see about the purchase of land for an oil refinery that his company wants to build there.  He maintains his cold, corporate demeanor while the beauty of the place and the smart and easy charm of its denizens slowly wears away at him. This starry-eyed, subtly beautiful comedy is graced with depictions of a laid-back life and its comparison to the empty drive of American industry, mellow and easy but smart and complex in theme. Performances are all great, with Bill Forsyth contributing assured direction and Chris Menges providing gorgeous cinematography. The musical score by Mark Knopfler was so well received that the soundtrack has outsold the film itself.

The Criterion Collection:  #994