Year Released: 1997
Directed by: Lee Tamahort
Writer: David Mamet
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Alec Baldwin, Elie Macpherson, Harold Perrineau
(R, 117 min.)
Genre: Action and Adventure, Mystery and Suspense

“Most people lost in the wilds, they, they die of shame… because they didn’t do the one thing that would save their lives – thinking.” –Charles Morse (Anthony Hopkins)

A screenplay superbly crafted by David Mamet, Anthony Hopkins working his magic alongside a compelling Alec Baldwin, not to mention a 9-foot Kodiak bear bulldozing his way through the Alaskan wilderness. What’s not to like?

That trio of talent lifts this survival tale to something beyond the usual clichés of that genre. Or should I say quartet, since Bart the Bear, all 1,500 pounds of him, boasts an impressive filmography himself. Bart’s final screen appearance is his second time out with Anthony Hopkins, the two having worked together in 1994’s Legends of the Fall as well. In fact, Hopkins respected the ursine star as a fellow actor, while The Edge director Lee Tanahort considered him “the John Wayne of bears.” Bart was even nominated for an Oscar in 1997.

***

Mamet sets up the tension and ambiguity early on. It starts out as a photo shoot at a remote lodge featuring Charles’ young and beautiful model wife Mickey (Elie Macpherson). Charles Morse (Anthony Hopkins) a rather shy and soft-spoken billionaire, is an acute observer of men, in addition to possessing an almost photographic mind. He sees the way her photographer Robert Green (Alec Baldwin) looks at her and wonders about the seemingly platonic kisses the two share.

However, in Mamet’s cryptic style, when Charles sees the kisses, Mickey does not flinch or act guilty, but smiles and waves back at him. She also seems to have genuine affection for her older husband, arranging a surprise birthday party for him with a beautifully engraved watch as his present. Bob also mentions his new expensive watch, bragging about it with self-deprecating humor:

Ginny: Is that a new watch?
Robert Green: Yeah, dual time zones: tells the time in two places.
Ginny: What for?
Robert Green: So if I'm in L.A. and want to know the time in New York I don't have to go through the anguish of adding three.”

Astute audience members or those familiar with Mamet will take note.

An impromptu plane jaunt to find an authentic native to replace the fellow who has called in sick for the shoot takes Charles, Bob, and his assistant on a short plane ride up father north. Bob explicitly asks Charles to join him.

Then we have two jolts in a row. The first is a verbal surprise:

Charles Morse: So what do you value me for, Bob?
Robert Green: I like your style, your wife's pretty cute too.
Charles Morse: So how are you planning to kill me?

Before Bob can answer, a flock of geese flies into the plane and they crash, killing the pilot. The rest of the film deals with their attempt to get back to civilization some 30 miles away. Surprisingly, the quiet billionaire begins to use his esoteric knowledge to lead them:

“Most people lost in the wilds, they, they die of shame… because they didn’t do the one thing that would save their lives – thinking,” he announces, followed by a plan of action. They must trek up to the highest mountain where they will be better spotted by those looking for them.

Of course it is on this trek that old Bart the Bear makes his appearance, adding another ingredient in this toxic brew of suspicion, jealousy, blizzard climbs, and exhaustion.

But amidst all the danger, Bob maintains a light tone and verbal banter with Charles and even disproves his suspicions by saving the billionaire from a plunge into an icy raging river. Charles is dumbstruck, but Bob plays it cool:

Anthony Hopkins) You saved me.
Robert Green: Get over it, Charles; I just need you to navigate.
Anthony Hopkins: You saved my life.
Robert Green: Well, I couldn't kill you with Stephen around. I'd have to kill him too, and he's the only one that knows how I like my coffee.
Anthony Hopkins: How'd you like your coffee?
Robert Green: Huh. I like my coffee like I like my women.
Harold Perrineau: Bitter and murky.

But Mamet has to toy with us again, throwing in that ending tidbit about Bob and the kind of woman he likes – bitter and murky. Or does Bob and not his women have that bitter murkiness hidden under his amiable mask?

You will have to watch the film to find the answer, or maybe not even then. This is Mamet, after all.

Enjoy Labor Day with The Edge’s shot of adrenaline. You won’t regret it.

–Kathy Borich
🥁🥁🥁🥁

Trailer

Film-Loving Foodie

Different Drummer has always had a soft spot for Kodiak bears, a subspecies of the brown bear. It goes back to my days in Oak Park, Illinois, near Chicago, and those delicious trips to the wonderful Brookfield Zoo.

There was a separate exhibition for the Kodiak bears, explaining that they were native to the Kodiak Islands off southwestern Alaska. My father admired these magnificent creatures and always lingered to watch them, just as Anthony Hopkins did Bart, the Kodiak bear featured in this film. Kodiaks are second only to Polar Bears in size, often “weighing up to 1,150 pounds.”

Well, old Bart, adopted by his trainers, Doug and Lynne Seus, at 5 months of age, must have been living the good life, since he officially weighed in at 1,500 pounds, although it is said he reached 1,700 pounds at one point.

Let’s celebrate his life with our Kodiak Cocktail. I am sure Anthony Hopkins would raise his glass with us.

Enjoy.