Conference bookie::movies

803.0. "Rob Roy" by MDNITE::RIVERS (And good bagels float) Sat Apr 08 1995 19:19

    After an abortive attempt to see this film last night (and two others,
    the un-success of which cost me more than the movies themselves would
    have, but I *did* get a walk around Boston, plus my first-ever
    real-life view of Fenway Park), I scooted back into Boston today 
    to check it out.  
    
    "Rob Roy" has been getting positive reviews (or largely positive) and 
    was certainly one of the plethora of newly-released films I want to
    see. Plus, it had the double-whammy effect of having Liam Neeson (who 
    I've always liked since his "Krull" days) and Tim Roth, who I think 
    is just peachy as an actor and not half-bad looking, either.
    
    All that heaved to the side, I came, I saw, I eventually ended up back
    home.  And I spent a great 2 hours plus in the movie theater.
    
    "Rob Roy" stars Neeson as Robert Roy McGregor, a Highlander Scotsman
    (no, not the kind that live forever unless someone cuts off their
    head), a man of unimpeachable honor and integrity.  Rob Roy has a
    devoted wife, Mary (Jessica Lange), and there is absolutely no doubt in
    your mind that these two people, who aren't twentysomethings, are very
    deeply in love with each other.  Mary and Rob have two kids, young
    boys, and live on some 330 acres of farmland.  
    
    The film opens with Rob Roy and his friends tracking down cattle
    thieves, who have stolen cattle from the Marquis of Montrose (John
    Hurt).  Although Scots haven't exactly prospered from having the
    English lord over them, and it's very understandable to Rob Roy way
    this ragged, desperate band resorted to cattle theives, his honor
    demands that he return the stolen cattle to the Marquis.  "I've stolen
    cattle in my day," Rob Roy explains to a friend of his, "But none under
    my watch."
    
    He does get the cattle back, but in returning them, Rob Roy decides
    that he can't just stand by and see people starving and cold anymore. 
    So he arranged to borrow 1000 pounds from the Marquis, to buy and sell
    cattle, with the Marquis getting 33% of the profit (I presumed the
    other profit would go to the impoverished locals).  In order to
    convince the Marquis (who really doesn't believe that a man's word can
    be his bond) to supply the money, Rob Roy has to put up his own land as
    insurance.
    
    In the meanwhile, the Marquis has become a patron to a dandy fop named
    Archibald Cunningham (Tim Roth).  Cunningham's effeteness hides one
    hell of a shrewd mind, as well as one hell of a sword arm.  Cunningham,
    who is relying on the Marquis for basically everything (money, a place
    to stay, etc.), is tempted by a scheming and lewd underling of the
    Marquis who happens to know where there might be 1000 pounds
    available...if one was willing to be rather violent about it.  After
    all, nobody loses, except maybe Robert Roy McGregor, who'll forfeit his
    land and most likely, his freedom.
    
    And thus, the drama is set up.  
    
    "Rob Roy", for me, was what "Legends of the Fall" wanted to be. 
    Fantastic scenery, an intensely likable and *human* protagonist, a
    nasty and yet not cardboard villian, and tons of romance.  I loved it. 
    
    Neeson's Rob Roy was not the stock hero seen in far too many movies and
    books -- the guy who Is Best At What He Does and a bit arrogant about. 
    Rob Roy's sense of honor is also what gets him in trouble and he's
    smart enough to recognize that.  Rob Roy *wasn't* the infalliable
    warrior.  In fact, the climatic confrontation between Rob Roy and
    Archibald Cunningham was believable because the fight did *not* happen
    as you'd expect (more behind a spoiler).  Jessica Lange's Mary was
    probably one of the best roles I've seen for a woman in a movie having
    any semblance of "action" with it -- usually the women are there are
    accessorize the hero, give him something "to fight for" and 
    *occassionally* show a bit of self-reliance.  Not Mary.  She was 
    as integral to the unfolding of the plot as anyone else.  And she 
    actually thought of things to do on her own.  Hooray.  For the first
    time in a long, long while, I liked the protagonists and more
    importantly, had an interest in them as much as I liked the
    antagonists.  To me, Rob Roy was the *perfect* protagonist.  And boy,
    is Liam Neeson tall (or Tim Roth is short)....
    
    I could probably go on and on.  I liked the score by Carter Burwell, I
    enjoyed the fact that the movie did not polish up life in the early
    1700's (in fact, at times, it was a bit crude -- appropriately so). 
    The supporting cast did a bang-up job.  Accents were pretty believable
    (to my non-Scottish ear).  It was fun and *romantic* and a proof that
    you can make a movie with a bunch of men in skirts and none of them
    look silly.  :)
    
    Definitely a film I'll take in again.
    
    
    **** out of ****
    
    kim
    
    Spoiler comment behind form feed:
    
    
    
    
     The reason the fight between Rob Roy and Cunningham was so notable and
    refreshingly original was that Rob Roy was definitely NOT the superior
    swordsman.  Even if he'd been 100%, it was *clear* that Cunningham was
    the better man.  The way that Rob Roy one, while not exactly the most
    "heroically correct" way to win, was the *only* way he was going to
    win.  I thought that was kind of neat, rather than defaulting to the
    usual sort of thing where the Hero is always good enough at whatever
    skill is being contested to defeat the villian, no matter what.

    
    re:-1
    
    nice review, and i agree wholeheartedly.  tim roth's archie cunningham
    is one of the best bad guys ever, imo.  four stars (out of four).
    
    bill

    MY husband and I caught this last weekend, and liked it, my husband a
    little less than me. The only flaw I would mention is that it dragged a
    little in parts, IMO it could have used a little more editing.
    
    Ditto on Tim Roth, a bravura performance. This is Oscar material for
    sure!
    
    
    Marilyn 

    Checked it out last weekend.  
    
    **** (at least)
    
    The action was exciting and believable, the drama moving, the scenery 
    spectacular, the acting superb and that Cunningham guy was a real jerk!
    
    See this movie!  You won't be dissapointed.
    
    
    -dave

    Another thumbs up. I had to be dragged to see this movie because the
    trailers just didn't make it look interesting. Wow! What a great movie!
    
    Tim Roth for best supporting actor next year. He plays the most
    thoroughly hateful villain I can recall having seen on screen, but he's
    perfectly fascinating at the same time.

    Another big thumbs up here also.  I thought Roth was great and Liam
    Neeson was outstanding as usual.  One of the best movies I've seen in a
    long time.
    
    SV

In the SCOTLAND conference, someone posted a URL for "Rob Roy":

	http://digiplanet.com/robroy/index.html

-- Nina

    I just saw "Rob Roy" for the second time and I agree with previous
    noters that this is a very good film!
    
    The acting is excellent, with special praise going to Tim Roth. His
    performance as "Archie" is one of the best villains I've seen in a long
    time. Add to the acting a great story, and beautiful scenery and you
    have several good reasons to see this film.   
    
    I liked this the first time I saw it but expected it to be more like 
     "Braveheart"(which I loved), and when it wasn't as good (IMO), I was   
    disappointed. But after seeing it again, I believe "Rob Roy" can stand  
    very well on its own.
    
    
    
                                   *** out of ****
    
     Gary S.