Competent adaptation of a typical Graham Greene story, a tale of dilemma, forgiveness and redemption in a quasi-fascist South America. Direction and acting are both ordinary, though Michael Caine and Richard Gere are at least well cast; Bob Hoskins (an Argentinian policeman!) less so. Always interesting, but strangely subdued: Greene packs a greater moral punch on the page.
16 Reviews
Amoral and Cold
claudio_carvalho25 December 2015
In Argentina, Dr. Eduardo Plarr (Richard Gere) is a medical doctor with a Paraguayan deceased mother and an English revolutionary father that is imprisoned in Paraguay. He unsuccessfully tries to get news about his father with his acquaintance Colonel Perez (Bob Hoskins). One night, he is summoned to attend the alcoholic British Honorary Consul Charley Fortnum (Michael Caine) in a brothel where he sees a beautiful young prostitute but she goes with another man. When he returns to the Whitehouse, he learns that the prostitute Clara (Elpidia Carrillo) left the place. One day, Charley calls him to examine his wife, and when Eduard turns the light of the room on, he sees that Charley married Clara. Soon he meets her in a store and buys an expensive sunglass to her. Clara goes with him to his apartment and they begin a love affair. When Clara becomes pregnant, Charley believes that the baby is his. Meanwhile Eduardo's childhood friend Leon (Joaquim De Almeida) visits him in his office and tells that his father is alive in Paraguay. Further, he tells that he plans to abduct the American ambassador and exchange him per political prisoners in Paraguay including his father. However he needs inside information about the visit of the ambassador. What will Eduardo do?
"The Honorary Consul" is a dramatic thriller with romance that does not work well. Eduardo is an unethical doctor and amoral man. His relationship with Clara is cold and he betrays Charley with a great cynicism. The film does not work well and the conclusion is predictable. My vote is six.
Title (Brazil): "O Cônsul Honorário" ("The Honorary Consul")
"The Honorary Consul" is a dramatic thriller with romance that does not work well. Eduardo is an unethical doctor and amoral man. His relationship with Clara is cold and he betrays Charley with a great cynicism. The film does not work well and the conclusion is predictable. My vote is six.
Title (Brazil): "O Cônsul Honorário" ("The Honorary Consul")
Intrigue , politics and a loving triangle intermingle in this rendition based on a known novel
ma-cortes2 May 2018
Emotive political, drama, thriller set in the border between Argentina, Paraguay dealing with a twisted love story and an intrigue behind. It is set during the rule of cruel right wing military dictatorships commanded by Alfredo Stroessner in Paraguay and General Videla in Argentina. It concerns a doctor called Eduardo : Richard Gere , he is a half-English and half-Paraguay man who becomes involved with the revolutionary guerrilla : A. Martinez , and a former priest played by Joaquin de Almeida. He returns to work in the little town of Corrientes . Eduardo quickly starts forming new acquaintance such as the English honorary consul : Michael Caine , he is a drunk man married to a beautiful Argentinian wife , an ex-whore : Elpidia Carrillo. Then Eduardo seduces her and both of whom fall in love .Things go wrong when Eduardo is asked for help the rebels to kidnap the US Ambassador to force the Paraguayan Junta release political inmates , including Eduardo's father.
Entertaning but cold and slow film with a central theme, a triangular romance and political details about South American dictatorships in which a doctor eventually must confront moral conflicts and the complex relationship with an alcoholic consul , at the same time the dirty war , tortures, kidnap, political upheaval and riots take place . Passable acting by Richard Gere as an England/Paraguay doctor who has a passionate as well as risked affaire and excellent Michael Caine as the cynical older diplomat who befriends to him while disagree over politics and about an attractive young latina girl, the newcomer Elpidia Carrillo . But the film relies heavily on the relation between the protagonist and his lover that reaches some strong problems connected with the alcoholic honorary consul .This is the second and worst rendition based on the prestigious novel by Graham Greene , first and the best was The Quiet Man 1958 by Joseph L Mankiewicz with Michael Redgrave , Audie Murphy, Giorgia Moll , Claude Dauphin , Bruce Cabot and third retelling was The Quiet Man 2002 by Phillip Noyce with Brendan Fraser , Thi Hai , Tzi Ma, Rade Serbedzija and Michael Caine himself. And this second version by John McKenzie written by Christopher Hampton who also wrote the 2002 remake , it boasts a nice cast with special mention for Bo Hoskins as a brutal Colonel who pursues and tortures rebels . It displays an atmospheric cinematography by Phil Meheux , though a perfectly remastering being absolutely necessary. And an evocative musical score by Stanley Myers , including South American sounds .
The motion picture was regular but profesionally directed by John Mckenzie , being nominated for two Bafta Film Awards . John was an expert on thriller and drama such as Blue heat, Ruby , The infiltrator , The innocent , A hinge of freedom, Act of vengeance , Quicksand , Made , Voyage , When sky falls , Aldrich Ames traitor within . His greatest hits were Long god friday and Fourth protocol . Rating : 6 . Average but passable and acceptable. The picture will appeal to Richard Gere and Michael Caine fans
..
Entertaning but cold and slow film with a central theme, a triangular romance and political details about South American dictatorships in which a doctor eventually must confront moral conflicts and the complex relationship with an alcoholic consul , at the same time the dirty war , tortures, kidnap, political upheaval and riots take place . Passable acting by Richard Gere as an England/Paraguay doctor who has a passionate as well as risked affaire and excellent Michael Caine as the cynical older diplomat who befriends to him while disagree over politics and about an attractive young latina girl, the newcomer Elpidia Carrillo . But the film relies heavily on the relation between the protagonist and his lover that reaches some strong problems connected with the alcoholic honorary consul .This is the second and worst rendition based on the prestigious novel by Graham Greene , first and the best was The Quiet Man 1958 by Joseph L Mankiewicz with Michael Redgrave , Audie Murphy, Giorgia Moll , Claude Dauphin , Bruce Cabot and third retelling was The Quiet Man 2002 by Phillip Noyce with Brendan Fraser , Thi Hai , Tzi Ma, Rade Serbedzija and Michael Caine himself. And this second version by John McKenzie written by Christopher Hampton who also wrote the 2002 remake , it boasts a nice cast with special mention for Bo Hoskins as a brutal Colonel who pursues and tortures rebels . It displays an atmospheric cinematography by Phil Meheux , though a perfectly remastering being absolutely necessary. And an evocative musical score by Stanley Myers , including South American sounds .
The motion picture was regular but profesionally directed by John Mckenzie , being nominated for two Bafta Film Awards . John was an expert on thriller and drama such as Blue heat, Ruby , The infiltrator , The innocent , A hinge of freedom, Act of vengeance , Quicksand , Made , Voyage , When sky falls , Aldrich Ames traitor within . His greatest hits were Long god friday and Fourth protocol . Rating : 6 . Average but passable and acceptable. The picture will appeal to Richard Gere and Michael Caine fans
..
Subtle approach to be appreciated
filmbuff-314 October 1999
This is a mildly interesting picture for viewers who like a hint of subtlety to spice their viewing experience. The problem is that this film also contains quite a lot of uneven action and performances.
The action is based upon a book by Graham Greene, a morality tale in which Greene shows how a seemingly mild injustice leads to catastrophic consequences for an apparently innocent man. The movie details the relationship between Dr. Plarr and the British "Honorary Consul" and the consul's wife. The movie, true to the original author's intent, makes this relationship central to the plot development. Greene wants to show how this relationship reveals a tragic flaw in his protagonist. On this level the movie succeeds, but there are too many loose ends in the plot and some lackluster performances. In the final analysis, though it starts nobly, the movie does not accomplish what it set out to do: i.e., bring a faithful adap- tation of Graham Greene to the big screen. It does not do justice to the subtle, thoughtful perspective of Greene's novel.
Dr. Plarr, played by Richard Gere, certainly is the amoral character Greene intended him to be. But this role, as directed in this movie, appears to be a vehicle for Richard Gere. It is drawn in the mold of movies that Gere had worked on at that time. These include movies such as "American Gigolo" and "Breathless." To turn the character of Dr. Plarr into a showcase for Richard Gere represents a totally inappropriate intrusion of the director into the story's subject matter.
To make matters worse, Gere plays his role mechanically, without passion, almost as though he were reading his lines directly from the script or sleepwalking through them. He is emotionally uninvolved in his character.
The revolutionaries in the picture are similarly unengaging characters. One has a hard time seeing how anyone could support their cause. This is chiefly because the movie does not do a satisfactory job of explaining who or what the group is fighting against. As a result, it is not clear with any accuracy just what the group is fighting for. The movie resorts to cliches here. We are supposed to believe that a Latin American dictator has been committing atrocities, but what effective recourse the revolutionaries have against him is never fully explained. The action that follows becomes muddled and the the motivations of the characters confused.
The one character who is neither confused nor mechanical is the honorary consul, played by Michael Caine in an outstanding per- formance. Charley Fortnum first comes across as a boozing has-been, but in the end, he is the voice of reason and humanity in the face of an insane, inhuman mess. His is also the voice of mercy in the picture.
"Beyond the Limit" may not be as thoughtfully developed as it should be, but it is interesting to see the film's producers try to convey the important moral message of the original novel. I give it two stars.
The action is based upon a book by Graham Greene, a morality tale in which Greene shows how a seemingly mild injustice leads to catastrophic consequences for an apparently innocent man. The movie details the relationship between Dr. Plarr and the British "Honorary Consul" and the consul's wife. The movie, true to the original author's intent, makes this relationship central to the plot development. Greene wants to show how this relationship reveals a tragic flaw in his protagonist. On this level the movie succeeds, but there are too many loose ends in the plot and some lackluster performances. In the final analysis, though it starts nobly, the movie does not accomplish what it set out to do: i.e., bring a faithful adap- tation of Graham Greene to the big screen. It does not do justice to the subtle, thoughtful perspective of Greene's novel.
Dr. Plarr, played by Richard Gere, certainly is the amoral character Greene intended him to be. But this role, as directed in this movie, appears to be a vehicle for Richard Gere. It is drawn in the mold of movies that Gere had worked on at that time. These include movies such as "American Gigolo" and "Breathless." To turn the character of Dr. Plarr into a showcase for Richard Gere represents a totally inappropriate intrusion of the director into the story's subject matter.
To make matters worse, Gere plays his role mechanically, without passion, almost as though he were reading his lines directly from the script or sleepwalking through them. He is emotionally uninvolved in his character.
The revolutionaries in the picture are similarly unengaging characters. One has a hard time seeing how anyone could support their cause. This is chiefly because the movie does not do a satisfactory job of explaining who or what the group is fighting against. As a result, it is not clear with any accuracy just what the group is fighting for. The movie resorts to cliches here. We are supposed to believe that a Latin American dictator has been committing atrocities, but what effective recourse the revolutionaries have against him is never fully explained. The action that follows becomes muddled and the the motivations of the characters confused.
The one character who is neither confused nor mechanical is the honorary consul, played by Michael Caine in an outstanding per- formance. Charley Fortnum first comes across as a boozing has-been, but in the end, he is the voice of reason and humanity in the face of an insane, inhuman mess. His is also the voice of mercy in the picture.
"Beyond the Limit" may not be as thoughtfully developed as it should be, but it is interesting to see the film's producers try to convey the important moral message of the original novel. I give it two stars.
Consul decent enough movie but no classic
mark-whait27 December 2010
Warning: Spoilers
This is an average pot-boiler from the Graham Greene novel, and although it was better than I originally remembered when watching it again recently, it certainly isn't at all memorable. That said, there are some welcome production values and the cast are worth watching. It's essentially a Richard Gere vehicle - at least in terms of the American market, and he plays an English-born Paraguayan called Dr Eduardo Plarr. Gere is an intriguing actor, or at least certainly was in the eighties. Bear in mind this performance came just a year on from his breakthrough role in An Officer And A Gentleman and you can still see the raw, almost nervous tension in his execution, and he certainly favours the minimalist approach. It's almost as if he's determined to become more than the beefcake Hollywood obviously wants him to be. Despite this assumption, however, Gere still has the obligatory love making scenes although I'm convinced when he first beds Elpidia Carrillo's character Clara, his helpful grunts are way out of sync with his theatrical pelvic thrusts. If Gere does seem to be a little uncomfortable in front of camera, then it's probably because in most scenes (the bedroom ones aside of course) he is either facing Michael Caine or Bob Hoskins. In his position, I think I would have stayed as quiet as possible, and it must have been a daunting scenario for the then 34 year old just fresh from box office success. His accent as well is all over the place. At times there is a distinct English twang to it, but then it slips into Amercian and even flirts with South American when faced with scenes with the locals. Bob Hoskins, of course, shows everyone how it should be done. Hoskins has never been afraid to take on any accent, and here he is the local chief of police, with successful results. Some critics have said that Hoskins was miscast in this film, but I strongly disagree. His demeanour throughout and the convincing accent I think contribute to an all round excellent pitch, although this is probably helped by the comfort of teaming up with director John Mackenzie again, just four years on from The Long Good Friday. The reason I think that Hoskins is so convincing here is that as he is, in physical terms, not the tallest actor on screen, he nevertheless carries weight because of his position and the corruptibility it potentially brings with it. And then there is Michael Caine. Yet again, Caine is playing a drunk, whose only passion in life seems to be the whisky bottle. As already explained earlier, Caine's legendary depiction of 'drunks' was peerless in the eighties. As an exercise in this very matter, I looked into how many 'drunk' roles he has played, and counted post-Zulu, no less than seven (I am counting Last Orders as many of the scenes were set at closing time in a pub). The best scene in this entire movie comes when Caine is at the wheel of his car whilst the US Ambassador (George Belanger) has stopped to take in the local scenic backdrops. He looks up aghast when spotting Caine sipping from a hip flask. Realising he has been rumbled, Caine swiftly raises a coke bottle to his lips within seconds, expertly switching beverages in the same take and without a blip. Ironically, this scene also has great resonance regarding the second part of the movie. I think the film is also pitched right at 102 minutes. Any longer and the plot would have become drawn out and the audience would fidget. Not a classic then, but a decent enough attempt by all concerned.
The Competent Adaptation
paul2001sw-110 June 2003
Competent adaptation of a typical Graham Greene story, a tale of moral dilemma, forgiveness and redemption in a quasi-fascist South America. Direction and acting are ordinary, although Michael Caine and Richard Gere are at least well cast; Bob Hoskins (an Argentinian policeman!) less so. Not badly done, but slightly detached; Greene packs a bigger punch on the page.
My brief review of the film
sol-25 July 2005
Intriguing music and lighting choices with some good camera movement and angles keep this film relatively interesting on an audio and visual level. However, they do not compensate for the film having quite a limited story of just a lightly developed romance during political unrest. There are political themes and morality issues in it, however they are not too well explained. It is also far too slowly paced, dragging between the story action. It is not a bad film though, and it is arguably interesting to watch
however it misses the mark for greatness. Despite Caine and Hoskins receiving BAFTA nominations for their roles, it is Gere who delivers the most effectively.
Badly miscast Gere but Caine makes amends
ODDBear29 November 2010
Warning: Spoilers
There's a solid film here lurking about but it never quite surfaces. It's based on a Graham Greene novel (that I haven't read) and it deals with an English/Paraguayan doctor, Eduardo Plarr, (Gere) who gets involved in a conspiracy to kidnap an American Ambassador in Argentina. However a mix-up occurs and the rebels accidentally kidnap a (somewhat worthless) British Honarary Consul, Charley Fortnum, (Caine) who's a friend of the good doctor. Then there's also the fact that Plarr is having an affair with Fortnum's wife.
This is probably meant to be a morality tale about loyalty and the price you pay for truly believing in something. At times this looks like quite a fascinating film. It deals (in parts) with freedom fighters who are badly treated by inhuman officials and shows some truly harrowing scenes of torture and human humiliation.
Then there are some truly humane segments involving Fortnum's relationship with his ex-prostitute wife. A man whose life is nothing to brag about, Fortnum never-the-less truly loves a scarred individual with all his heart and accepts whatever pleasure he can muster out of his existence. A heavy drinker (and an embarrassment to his fellow countrymen), it becomes clear how worthless he's truly perceived when no attempt is made to rescue his life when he's accidentally captured by Paraguyan rebels.
It's here that Plarr is meant to be given a greater character feature than previously displayed as he seems to be the only one who actually appreciates Fortnum for the good (but somewhat flawed) person he is. The problem lies in the fact that Gere's performance (and his character) is beyond redemption by that point and his actions in the final third are wholly unbelievable and un-characteristic. His ultimate sacrifice in the end doesn't ring true and therefore doesn't have the intended impact as I'm guessing the highly praised novel does.
But to be fair to Gere; he's miserably miscast here. Fresh from his stint (and an impeccable performance) in "Breathless", he maybe wanted to try out more serious material and therefore chose this project. His performance here isn't any good, his British accent comes and goes at a whim and he still looks like Julian Kay (his character from "American Gigolo") only posing as a doctor in a foreign country. His presence in the film is it's real downfall. A big indicator of this is how the film was advertised as a sexy Gere feature (with pointless graphic sex scenes) and stupidly retitled as "Beyond the Limit" to hide it's true dramatic origins and promote is as a thriller; which it really isn't.
But still; "The Honorary Consul" does have it's quiet moments. Michael Caine gives a terrific performance in the title role and his character is very human, tragic and earnest. He's flawed (and who isn't?) but he's got a good sense of what really counts and Caine's performance is the reason why this film isn't a failure. The scenes where Fortnum discusses his wife with Plarr, his reasons for taking her as his wife and, at the end, his reasons for wanting the baby which isn't even his, are the film's strong points and I don't even think that's what director John McKenzie was going for; it just happened with a great performance and a solid core material.
In the end; "The Honorary Consul" goes down as a disappointment but a somewhat fascinating one as it could have been really good.
This is probably meant to be a morality tale about loyalty and the price you pay for truly believing in something. At times this looks like quite a fascinating film. It deals (in parts) with freedom fighters who are badly treated by inhuman officials and shows some truly harrowing scenes of torture and human humiliation.
Then there are some truly humane segments involving Fortnum's relationship with his ex-prostitute wife. A man whose life is nothing to brag about, Fortnum never-the-less truly loves a scarred individual with all his heart and accepts whatever pleasure he can muster out of his existence. A heavy drinker (and an embarrassment to his fellow countrymen), it becomes clear how worthless he's truly perceived when no attempt is made to rescue his life when he's accidentally captured by Paraguyan rebels.
It's here that Plarr is meant to be given a greater character feature than previously displayed as he seems to be the only one who actually appreciates Fortnum for the good (but somewhat flawed) person he is. The problem lies in the fact that Gere's performance (and his character) is beyond redemption by that point and his actions in the final third are wholly unbelievable and un-characteristic. His ultimate sacrifice in the end doesn't ring true and therefore doesn't have the intended impact as I'm guessing the highly praised novel does.
But to be fair to Gere; he's miserably miscast here. Fresh from his stint (and an impeccable performance) in "Breathless", he maybe wanted to try out more serious material and therefore chose this project. His performance here isn't any good, his British accent comes and goes at a whim and he still looks like Julian Kay (his character from "American Gigolo") only posing as a doctor in a foreign country. His presence in the film is it's real downfall. A big indicator of this is how the film was advertised as a sexy Gere feature (with pointless graphic sex scenes) and stupidly retitled as "Beyond the Limit" to hide it's true dramatic origins and promote is as a thriller; which it really isn't.
But still; "The Honorary Consul" does have it's quiet moments. Michael Caine gives a terrific performance in the title role and his character is very human, tragic and earnest. He's flawed (and who isn't?) but he's got a good sense of what really counts and Caine's performance is the reason why this film isn't a failure. The scenes where Fortnum discusses his wife with Plarr, his reasons for taking her as his wife and, at the end, his reasons for wanting the baby which isn't even his, are the film's strong points and I don't even think that's what director John McKenzie was going for; it just happened with a great performance and a solid core material.
In the end; "The Honorary Consul" goes down as a disappointment but a somewhat fascinating one as it could have been really good.
Curiously uninvolving.
planktonrules7 March 2024
"The Honorary Consul" is a film that should have been more interesting and exciting than it was. I think much of it is because the film isn't quite sure if it's a drama or an excuse to show a lot of skin and titillate the viewer. And, because of this, it ends up being neither.
Richard Gere is badly miscast in this drama about Paraguay. He's supposed to be half English and half South American...but he somehow sounds like an American. He's a rather amoral doctor whose motivations and loyalties seem vague at best. He also is a jerk, as he's sleeping with the British Consul's wife...while also being the Consul's friend. When the Consul is kidnapped, he isn't sure whether to help him, the rebels, or just continue shtupping the Consul's wife and doing nothing more.
Richard Gere is the biggest problem with the film. His performance is dull and lifeless and his accent is confusing. Bob Hoskins is also in the film...miscast as a South American policeman. Overall, the film is a decent time passer but not much more.
Richard Gere is badly miscast in this drama about Paraguay. He's supposed to be half English and half South American...but he somehow sounds like an American. He's a rather amoral doctor whose motivations and loyalties seem vague at best. He also is a jerk, as he's sleeping with the British Consul's wife...while also being the Consul's friend. When the Consul is kidnapped, he isn't sure whether to help him, the rebels, or just continue shtupping the Consul's wife and doing nothing more.
Richard Gere is the biggest problem with the film. His performance is dull and lifeless and his accent is confusing. Bob Hoskins is also in the film...miscast as a South American policeman. Overall, the film is a decent time passer but not much more.
Contrived Political Drama with a Misleading Title
Filmfandave18 May 2014
Richard Gere plays Dr. Eduardo Plarr, an Anglo-Paraguayan doctor who unwittingly gets entangled in the kidnapping plot of an American consul by a novice group of Paraguayan rebels in exchange for ten of their imprisoned comrades. The plan goes awry as the rebels mistakenly kidnap his new friend instead - Charley Fortnum (Michael Caine), a British honorary consul who happens to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Complicating the matter, the doctor falls head over heels in love with Charley's young wife, Clara (Elpidia Carrillo) - an ex-prostitute who has the same feelings toward him. Meanwhile, the police have tracked down the rebels hide-out and are closing in. With his life at stake, Plarr is forced to decide between betraying his love or friendship.
Sounds interesting, right? Sadly, it is not. The main problem is that the characters are not likable. Gere's character is a doctor who lusts after his friend's wife. Caine's is a heavy drinker who often creates problems than solves them while Carrillo's is a fickle-minded woman who can't decide who is best for her life.
The title itself "The Honorary Consul" does not fit into the main plot, which is more about Gere's character than Caine's. Even less fitting is the alternate US title "Beyond the Limit".
This is one of three John Mackenzie's films that I have watched and also the most unconvincing because of its tepid performances, contrived plot and ending, and lackluster direction. Only for Gere's or Caine's die-hard fans.
Sounds interesting, right? Sadly, it is not. The main problem is that the characters are not likable. Gere's character is a doctor who lusts after his friend's wife. Caine's is a heavy drinker who often creates problems than solves them while Carrillo's is a fickle-minded woman who can't decide who is best for her life.
The title itself "The Honorary Consul" does not fit into the main plot, which is more about Gere's character than Caine's. Even less fitting is the alternate US title "Beyond the Limit".
This is one of three John Mackenzie's films that I have watched and also the most unconvincing because of its tepid performances, contrived plot and ending, and lackluster direction. Only for Gere's or Caine's die-hard fans.
The Honorary Consul
MogwaiMovieReviews20 September 2022
There's a classic film here that's so close to existing you can almost reach out and touch it. The script, the setting, the atmosphere and even the poster and theme tune are all on point. The direction and photography are both solid and workmanlike.
Where it all falls down is the casting: Richard Gere looks every inch a star, but the accent is strained and a distraction throughout, and he cannot convey an emotion to save his life. Michael Caine is well-cast but barely even turns up, and just coasts through the whole thing. Elpidia Carrillo, as Caine's wife Clara, is, like Gere, nice to look at but emotionally flat, and we never get to understand what she wants or feels. Worst of all is Bob Hoskins, whose accent as an Argentinian police chief has taken on Dick Van Dyke-like legendary status, most of the time sounding exactly like a London cabbie giving an impersonation of a Chicago gangster he saw in a movie once. Never let that man do an accent.
All these things cripple the story and it's really not possible to ignore them at any point, so the film flounders and fails. And yet, the whole way through, you can feel what it could have been, walking beside it like a ghost.
Where it all falls down is the casting: Richard Gere looks every inch a star, but the accent is strained and a distraction throughout, and he cannot convey an emotion to save his life. Michael Caine is well-cast but barely even turns up, and just coasts through the whole thing. Elpidia Carrillo, as Caine's wife Clara, is, like Gere, nice to look at but emotionally flat, and we never get to understand what she wants or feels. Worst of all is Bob Hoskins, whose accent as an Argentinian police chief has taken on Dick Van Dyke-like legendary status, most of the time sounding exactly like a London cabbie giving an impersonation of a Chicago gangster he saw in a movie once. Never let that man do an accent.
All these things cripple the story and it's really not possible to ignore them at any point, so the film flounders and fails. And yet, the whole way through, you can feel what it could have been, walking beside it like a ghost.
Pitiably Small Beer
JamesHitchcock10 January 2020
"The Honorary Consul", based on a novel by Graham Greene, is set in and around the Argentine city of Corrientes, in the far north of the country on the border with Paraguay, but in fact the film was actually shot in Mexico. Doubtless in 1983, only a year after the Falklands War, British film crews would not have been welcome in Argentina.
The main character is Eduardo Plarr, a half-English, half-Paraguayan doctor, who is in exile from Paraguay where his father is being held prisoner because of his opposition to the Stroessner regime. Plarr is approached by Leon, an old friend from Paraguay. Leon, a former priest, is now a member of a guerrilla group fighting against the Paraguayan government, and asks for Plarr's assistance in a plot to kidnap the American Ambassador and to use him as a hostage to secure the release of political prisoners. Although Plarr has tried to keep out of politics since arriving in Argentina, he agrees to assist the group in return for a promise that his father will be one of the prisoners whose release they will demand.
Unfortunately, the incompetent guerrillas mistakenly kidnap the British Consul Charley Fortnum, whom they have confused with the Ambassador. This puts Plarr in a difficult position as Fortnum has always regarded him as a friend. Their friendship, however, has not prevented Plarr from conducting an affair with Fortnum's Argentine wife Clara. Plarr travels to Buenos Aires to ask the British Ambassador to assist, but without success. Fortnum, a heavy drinker, is no good at his job, and has displeased the British authorities by his marriage to Clara, whom they do not regard as a suitable wife for a British diplomat. (She is a former prostitute). The British government, therefore, are not prepared to intercede with the Paraguayan regime on his behalf.
Richard Gere was not the most obvious choice to play a doctor of mixed British and Paraguayan heritage, but the producers evidently wanted a big-name American star to appeal to the American market. He is not as bad as some of his detractors on this board make out, but he struck me as making his character too laid-back. This is perhaps appropriate in the early scenes- although he has never been to Britain, Plarr likes to stress on his British heritage and to see himself as a calm, solid, unemotional Englishman. In the later scenes, however, where Plarr becomes more emotionally involved, Gere did not seem really convincing.
The real star of the film is Michael Caine, an actor whose work can be uneven but who here is at his best, which means that he is very good indeed. Fortnum, an alcoholic and a professional failure, may be, as the British Ambassador sarcastically describes him, "pitiably small beer", yet Caine manages to make him someone we can care about. Fortnum has married a beautiful younger woman, whom he loves deeply, but faces the awful prospect of losing her to a younger, better-looking friend who does not really love her. To make matters worse he is kidnapped and held hostage by a gang of bungling but nevertheless lethal terrorists, and yet somehow he manages to keep an impressive dignity throughout.
Two other good performances come from the lovely Mexican actress Elpidia Carrillo, whom I have not seen in any other film, as Clara, and Bob Hoskins as the local police chief, Colonel Perez. Hoskins, best known in Britain for playing Cockneys, might again not seem the most natural choice to play a Latin American character, but here he is excellent. Perez is a man in a difficult position; he believes in upholding the law, but he also believes in doing so with humanity and fairness, a task which is becoming difficult given the deteriorating political situation. Greene's novel was written in 1973, before the coup of 1976 which brought the military junta to power, when Argentina was still nominally a democracy, but in practice retained many authoritarian features.
I also liked the restrained, sombre photography, appropriate for a film dealing with serious topics and which has a plot which is in many ways tragic. I am always surprised that this film, based on the work of one of Britain's leading twentieth-century writers and starring actors as well-known as Caine, Gere and Hoskins, should have attracted so little notice. Mine is only the 13th review it has received on this board. I feel, however, that it deserves to be better known, not only because of the performances of Caine, Hoskins and Carrillo but also because of the sensitive and intelligent way it deals with such perennial topics as justice, love, friendship and the nature of violence. 8/10
The main character is Eduardo Plarr, a half-English, half-Paraguayan doctor, who is in exile from Paraguay where his father is being held prisoner because of his opposition to the Stroessner regime. Plarr is approached by Leon, an old friend from Paraguay. Leon, a former priest, is now a member of a guerrilla group fighting against the Paraguayan government, and asks for Plarr's assistance in a plot to kidnap the American Ambassador and to use him as a hostage to secure the release of political prisoners. Although Plarr has tried to keep out of politics since arriving in Argentina, he agrees to assist the group in return for a promise that his father will be one of the prisoners whose release they will demand.
Unfortunately, the incompetent guerrillas mistakenly kidnap the British Consul Charley Fortnum, whom they have confused with the Ambassador. This puts Plarr in a difficult position as Fortnum has always regarded him as a friend. Their friendship, however, has not prevented Plarr from conducting an affair with Fortnum's Argentine wife Clara. Plarr travels to Buenos Aires to ask the British Ambassador to assist, but without success. Fortnum, a heavy drinker, is no good at his job, and has displeased the British authorities by his marriage to Clara, whom they do not regard as a suitable wife for a British diplomat. (She is a former prostitute). The British government, therefore, are not prepared to intercede with the Paraguayan regime on his behalf.
Richard Gere was not the most obvious choice to play a doctor of mixed British and Paraguayan heritage, but the producers evidently wanted a big-name American star to appeal to the American market. He is not as bad as some of his detractors on this board make out, but he struck me as making his character too laid-back. This is perhaps appropriate in the early scenes- although he has never been to Britain, Plarr likes to stress on his British heritage and to see himself as a calm, solid, unemotional Englishman. In the later scenes, however, where Plarr becomes more emotionally involved, Gere did not seem really convincing.
The real star of the film is Michael Caine, an actor whose work can be uneven but who here is at his best, which means that he is very good indeed. Fortnum, an alcoholic and a professional failure, may be, as the British Ambassador sarcastically describes him, "pitiably small beer", yet Caine manages to make him someone we can care about. Fortnum has married a beautiful younger woman, whom he loves deeply, but faces the awful prospect of losing her to a younger, better-looking friend who does not really love her. To make matters worse he is kidnapped and held hostage by a gang of bungling but nevertheless lethal terrorists, and yet somehow he manages to keep an impressive dignity throughout.
Two other good performances come from the lovely Mexican actress Elpidia Carrillo, whom I have not seen in any other film, as Clara, and Bob Hoskins as the local police chief, Colonel Perez. Hoskins, best known in Britain for playing Cockneys, might again not seem the most natural choice to play a Latin American character, but here he is excellent. Perez is a man in a difficult position; he believes in upholding the law, but he also believes in doing so with humanity and fairness, a task which is becoming difficult given the deteriorating political situation. Greene's novel was written in 1973, before the coup of 1976 which brought the military junta to power, when Argentina was still nominally a democracy, but in practice retained many authoritarian features.
I also liked the restrained, sombre photography, appropriate for a film dealing with serious topics and which has a plot which is in many ways tragic. I am always surprised that this film, based on the work of one of Britain's leading twentieth-century writers and starring actors as well-known as Caine, Gere and Hoskins, should have attracted so little notice. Mine is only the 13th review it has received on this board. I feel, however, that it deserves to be better known, not only because of the performances of Caine, Hoskins and Carrillo but also because of the sensitive and intelligent way it deals with such perennial topics as justice, love, friendship and the nature of violence. 8/10
Gere passer may pass or waste your time
PeterMitchell-506-56436419 February 2013
Believe this, I have watched this so many times, but in part. I could spout off lines in Christopher Hampton's script, at the click of a finger. I love the settings for this movie in which Gere, an English spoken doctor, falls for a newly married young woman, Clara (Elpidia Carrillo) who is earlier seen as the whore working at this seedy bar that doubles as a cat house. She's married to the honorary Consul (Caine) unaware of the affair that has sparked between friend and wife. At the start, Gere, just arriving in town, helps another guy escort a drunk Caine from one bar to infamous cat house one. It's here he sets eyes on Clara. The sex scenes are quite hot as passions run high, but Gere has trouble from the other side, involving his past, where two old friends, (one a much younger Joquian Almedia) approach him, with a kidnapping plot to snatch a consul, in return for their fellow South American prisoners to be released. Only problem is, they snatch Caine instead, not a real consul, an honorary consul. Gere, maddened by the idiocy of the mates, remains loyal. Gere's father too, is one of those prisoners, as Gere is innocently led to believe. Caine's actor mate, Bob Hoskins, plays a cop, trying to help Gere track down his old man. One scene has Gere going off at him, when they arrest 250 mentally unsound people under his care and put them temporarily in prison, but Hoskins mellows him. Gere's fate at the end of the this, where the strong arm of the law closes in, was tragic, I must say. His not so badly portrayed doctor, is a sympathetic, goodhearted and likable character. But the heavyweights are Caine, who plays drunk so good and being funny too about it, where no nonsense Hoskins is solid. Elpidia is just pretty scenery really. But really there's something too brief about whole affair of the story here, despite it's good screenplay, and really it's just a passable, but involving drama + those couple of sex scenes. And near it's end too, some of the scenes are quite dark, they disjoint the action. But Gere too is a bit of a bastard in the bedroom, paying the now married Clara cash for her services as if she was still working. Also when going up to Gere's apartment, is her first tome, riding in an elevator. I liked the way Gere wore his jealousy well too, really at the sheer fact, Caine loves her. There's a lot of good scenes to find in the movie and Paul's McCartney's Brazilian intro theme was just beautiful and melodic, as it was soothing. For Gere fans, do put this different and quite enjoyable one one on your list.
Surpassingly mis-cast film
tireless_crank1 February 2010
It was difficult to watch this film because of the miscasting of Richard Gere who seems at last partially anesthesthetized through the entire movie. There is not one bit of passion in his manner or his speech and, whenever he is on the screen, there is a hole through which all tension drains. Bob Hoskins is not a convincing Latin at all, neither in accent nor in manner. Better casting in these two parts would have improved this film immeasurably.
An interesting, semi-error shows many of the main characters sweating through their shirts. In tropic and sub-tropic regions, locals have heat adapted well enough so that they sweat almost unnoticeably in normal conditions and thus can appear crisp and unruffled in temperatures where those of us from more temperate climates sweat like water buffalo.
An interesting, semi-error shows many of the main characters sweating through their shirts. In tropic and sub-tropic regions, locals have heat adapted well enough so that they sweat almost unnoticeably in normal conditions and thus can appear crisp and unruffled in temperatures where those of us from more temperate climates sweat like water buffalo.
May'be film doesn't really honor novel here
videorama-759-85939115 June 2014
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.
Boozy cuckolded colonialists
PimpinAinttEasy22 November 2021
I quite liked this. Boozy colonialists hanging on, fuelled by wine and local women.
Graham Greene certainly knew how to romanticize the decline of British control over the world.
Another easy performance by CAINE as a cuckolded alcoholic.
GERE's character was a big failure. Thats probably what ruined the movie. Even the book wasnt GREENE's best.
Also, BOB HOSKINS looked and sounded ridiculous as an uruguayan.
ELIPIDILLA CARILLO was sexy. In some GREENE novels, you have the young man (sometimes american) stealing the woman from the older british guy.
This is a nice film of place.
Actually very flawed. But the background score by MCCARTNEY and the locales made it worth a watch.
The IMDB rating of 5.7 is probably quite perfect.
(7/10)
Graham Greene certainly knew how to romanticize the decline of British control over the world.
Another easy performance by CAINE as a cuckolded alcoholic.
GERE's character was a big failure. Thats probably what ruined the movie. Even the book wasnt GREENE's best.
Also, BOB HOSKINS looked and sounded ridiculous as an uruguayan.
ELIPIDILLA CARILLO was sexy. In some GREENE novels, you have the young man (sometimes american) stealing the woman from the older british guy.
This is a nice film of place.
Actually very flawed. But the background score by MCCARTNEY and the locales made it worth a watch.
The IMDB rating of 5.7 is probably quite perfect.
(7/10)
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
