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Loch Ness
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by MGM (Video & DVD)
Sales Rank: 16768
Price: $13.49
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Ted Danson ("Cheers"), Joely Richardson (The Patriot) and Ian Holm (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring) star in this thrilling and magical adventure about a skeptical American scientist attempting to solve the mystery of the Loch Ness monster. Dr. John Dempsey(Danson) arrives in beautiful Scotland with a not-so-beautiful track record. After a failed attemptto find Bigfoot nearly ended his career, the doubtful zoologist must proveor disproveconclusively the existence of "Nessie." Though he ruffles the feathers of a few locals, he is able to persuade an innkeeper named Laura (Richardson) to let him stay in her hotel. And with the help of Laura's young daughter, John begins to open his eyesand his heartto what's around him, discovering something more wondrous and powerful than even the mystery of the Loch!
Viewer Reviews
As the title would suggest "Loch Ness" explores the possibility of the Loch Ness monster, at least on the surface. Ted Danson plays a disillusioned cryptozoologist who is sent on assignment to Loch Ness, Scotland, to disprove the mythical creature's existence. With the assistance of a clairvoyant girl (Kirsty Graham) he discovers many life-changing things, including love with the girl's mother (Joely Richardson).
If you're remotely interested in cryptozoology "Loch Ness" is a must. Despite the fact that the story is predictable, this is a very well-made film. It was filmed in 1994 on location in Scotland and England. Although it was primed for theatrical release, it was ultimately decided to release it on network TV in September, 1996, which was probably a good decision.
The film has a lot going for it: Ted Danson is perfect as the jaded scientist; Joely Richardson is Beautiful; the little girl is cute and spiritual; the locations are breathtaking; the people are likable and the story touches on important vital life-themes that every non-moron human being can relate to. If you're in the mood for a mindless slasher/monster flick with lots of gore, this isn't the film to see. However, if you wanna explore some of life's most important questions, look no further.
Danson has given up on love in the aftermath of a divorce; he's also given up on his life's work, his dream. He's a laughing stock in the scientific community. Note his powerful statement to his Scottish partner at Loch Ness:
"I'm a joke. I'm the guy who chases looney tunes and you think I don't wanna find something out there? If I Nailed a dinosaur in Loch Ness I would be vindicated a thousand times over. I would have it all back and more. But it's not gonna happen. There's nothing down there, there's nothing up in British Columbia, there's nothing unexplained flying around the skies at night. That's just a wish list to make us feel like there's something more to life than the $#*% we got stuck with. Believing is not enough."
As you can see, the film is more than just cutesy family fare or mindless monster mayhem. The struggle Danson is going through is real and we can all relate to it on some level. We may not be looking for the Loch Ness monster, but we all have dreams; we all hope to discover love in some manner; we all hope to find meaning in life. Unless, of course, we've given up, like Danson's character in the story. Yet, even then, in the blackest pit of anguish & despair there's hope.
There are two extremist views on life: 1.) That life and the universe are one big meaningless accident and you're just an insignificant bug that will soon be squashed out of existence and memory. And 2.) That there's an intelligent design to the universe and, although it's somehow fallen (i.e. severely messed up), there IS meaning, love, hope and purpose, even if we are presently unable to fully comprehend it.
The film addresses the clash of these two opposing views. We've all experienced the conflict of these two positions within our OWN hearts; it's the clash of flesh and spirit. On the one hand, we WANT to believe the latter position, but life keeps dishing out so much crap that we are seriously tempted to give in to the former.
This is the struggle Danson faces in the story. He's given up; he's stumbling in the darkenss; he's just going through the motions to exist. His smile is mostly a facade.
The little girl is a key factor in his deliverance. She is able to see things as they truly are, including beyond the areas of normal perception. Danson says seeing is believing, but the little girl insists that believing in unseen reality is more important that physically seeing, if you know what I mean.
If this review sounds like a bunch of total mumbo jumbo, you're not ready for this film. Check out "Freddy V.S. Jason Part VI" instead (not that those types of mindless slasher/monster flicks don't have their place in life).
Grade: A-
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