Nature vs. nurture. Is it your genes which determine what kind of person you’ll turn out to be? Or is it how and where you are raised that has the principal influence on how you end up? This argument usually shows up during discussion about serial killers or war criminals (who were on the losing side, of course). I’ve pondered this from time to time and the result is always inconclusive. Brothers Randolph (Ralph Bellamy) and Mortimer (Don Ameche) Duke chatter about it as well. Being slippery, sleazy and manipulative, they decide to forge a real example and bet a buck upon which would prove supreme. They choose Louis Winthorpe III ((Dan Aykroyd), who runs the Dukes’s company, who soon finds himself framed for theft, jailed for dealing drugs, turned out of his house, shunned by his friends and despised by his fiancée after the brothers hire a hooker, Ophelia (Jamie Lee Curtis), to speed his downfall. The other side is represented by Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy), a street hustler, who is given everything that Louis has lost. Woe betide the brothers when Louis and Billy Ray discover the Duke’s plan.

Director:  John Landis Writer:  Timothy Harris; Herschel Weingrod Cast:
Dan Aykroyd -  Louis Winthorpe III Eddie Murphy -  Billy Ray Valentine Ralph Bellamy -  Randolph Duke Don Ameche -  Mortimer Duke Denholm Elliott -  Coleman Jamie Lee Curtis -  Ophelia Kristin Holby -  Penelope Witherspoon Paul Gleason -  Clarence Beeks		Alfred Drake -  President of Exchange Bo Diddley -  Pawnbroker Frank Oz -  Corrupt cop James Belushi -  Harvey Al Franken -  Baggage handler #1 Tom Davis -  Baggage handler #2 Maurice Woods -  Duke & Duke employee Richard D. Fisher Jr. -  Duke & Duke employee

One day, a friend said that Local Hero was her favourite movie. She went on at length as to why it was. In my usual fashion, I took the info in and set it aside for future consideration. I was waiting for another unrelated conversation to happen which would mention the movie is some context or other. I’ve found this approach often will lead me to finding something I’ll like or, at least, appreciate. Nothing did. One day, I watched Bill Forsyth’s Gregory’s Girl and it reminded me of our conversation. I figured anyone who could direct such a delightful film must have talent. So I bought a VHS version of Local Hero and was smiling like a happy puppy. I delighted in Gordon Urquhart (Denis Lawson) and his wife Stella (Jennifer Black) when they got frisky, chortled when Mac MacIntyre (Peter Riegert) found out what he was eating after saving the rabbit on the road into town and cringed when the scooter rider made another run down main street. When laser discs came out, I bought another copy and rewatching brought more delight to me that my first viewing. Then I purchased a DVD copy when my laser disc player went on the blink and the cost of repair/replacement scared the pants off me. Now it is an annual ritual of which I never tire. I guess my friend was right.

Director:  Bill Forsyth Writer:  Bill Forsyth Cast:
Burt Lancaster -  Happer Peter Riegert -  Mac Fulton Mackay -  Ben Denis Lawson -  Urquhart Norman Chancer -  Moritz Peter Capaldi -  Oldsen Rikki Fulton -  Geddes Alex Norton -  Watt		Jenny Seagrove -  Marina Jennifer Black -  Stella Christopher Rozycki -  Victor Christopher Asante -  Rev Macpherson John Jackson -  Cal Dan Ammerman -  Donaldson Tam Dean Burn -  Roddy Luke Coulter -  Baby