Predictable and clichéd as it may be, Continental Divide isn't a bad film. The performances are sincere, the mood upbeat, and the characters easy enough to root for. The story deals with a streetwise Chicago reporter having to get out of town for a while after incurring the wrath of a corrupt local politician. Is there any other kind in the Windy City? Anyway, his editor and the editor's wife think he should write a story about a mysterious female ornithologist living in the mountains of Wyoming. Apparently she has lived all alone for 4 years and has become the world's foremost expert on bald eagles. Predictably the reporter is skeptical of this assignment, but of course in the very next scene we see him stumbling up the side of a mountain, cursing the entire way. Naturally when the reporter and scientist meet, it isn't love at first sight. They bicker about this and that between shots of nature and occasional animal attacks. The reporter is sexually attracted to the woman, but it takes a while for her to dump her mountain man lover and warm to her new guest.
In some ways, this plot reminded me of Crocodile Dundee which I've seen recently. Only this time, the reporter mostly stays in the wilderness and HE is the fish out of water. This film clearly marked a turning point in Belushi's brief career. Here he was definitely trying to tone things down from his demeanor in previous films, and he pretty much pulls it off. He could have played just about any role had he lived long enough to do so. He does however look about a decade older than he actually was when this was made. The years of drug abuse were taking their tole. Blair Brown is fetching, energetic, and someone who could have had a bigger career. She is believable as the bird-lover, though the interior of her cabin is too LL Bean-ish compared to the rugged exterior we see in outdoor shots. Indoor and outdoor scenes were likely filmed in different locations. And the film uses the scenic Empire Builder route of Amtrack as the setting for a marathon love-making session by our two leads. Very romantic, indeed.
This film has some glaring lapses in logic, as many romantic comedies do. Do you really think that street muggers would recognize even the most famous of city beat reporters on sight as they rob him for his watch and wallet? How about prostitutes? These don't seem like the types that read newspapers too often. How often do hunters actually shoot at bald eagles? Not much if ever. Despite their reputations among city folk, most hunters have a great love and respect for nature and would never take a shot at an endangered symbol of our country. It does set up a scene with an interesting payoff, though. 6 of 10 stars.
The Hound.
