Moustroll Good movie but grossly overrated

Intcatinfo A Masterpiece!

Bergorks If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

Zlatica One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

LeonLouisRicci Only the coldest heart could be unaffected by this story of an endangered species being mutilated for rich men's egos so they can have a gorilla hand ashtray or a severed head to brag about. Yes, the natives who actually do the killing do need to feed their families, but there are other, less brutal and intrusive ways. just because something has always been done or it is the easiest way, certainly does not make it right.So enter a real-life (they are the best kind) martyr, a woman of dubious sanity and complete commitment to a cause, Dian Fossey. She finds herself in a Mystical land studying a very rare and strange, but docile creature, the Mountain Gorilla.The fact that the species is on the verge of extinction, not by natural causes, but by the aforementioned poaching, is at the heart and is the core of her crusade. The Movie is time compressed and some of the motivation, besides just complete compassion, can be seen as thin and some of her more crazy behavior unjustified.But as enlightening and soulful entertainment this is quite engaging. It is inspiring, heartbreaking, and frustrating. It is an excellent work and artistic license aside, can be commanding by all involved and a fine tribute to a noble and troubled Woman. Fortunately, her work and over the top involvement in the mist, was and is an example of One determined fight against all odds and she did succeed, but at such a heavy cost. She probably would think that it was worth it.

Leofwine_draca One reviewer called this film 'superficial' and I can't really disagree with him: it tells a simple, true-life story about a white woman who pioneered research into the life of mountain gorillas in darkest Africa. There isn't a great deal or depth or moralising here. Instead, what you see is what you get - an interesting, evocative and sometimes compelling story of mankind's relationship with nature.The film has strengths and weaknesses evenly distributed. Of course, the gorillas are the real stars of the show here (no disrespect to Sigourney Weaver, turning in another Ripley-esque tough-as-nails performance) and whenever they're on screen, the film comes to life. The film isn't afraid to tug at the heartstrings when poachers come into the plot, but that's fine by me.Where the film doesn't work is in its attempts at Hollywood convention. The real life of Dian Fossey - including her mysterious death - just doesn't tie up neatly into a package. Hence we get the shoehorned-in romantic subplot involving an extraneous Bryan Brown. Nonetheless, GORILLAS IN THE MIST is worth seeing and far more enlightening than most nature documentaries you see on TV any night of the week.

Michael Neumann With all due respect to the late Dian Fossey and to the legacy of her groundbreaking work among the mountain gorillas of central Africa, it should be noted that her big screen biography is little more than a glossy star package with postcard scenery and sentiments, presenting the anthropologist as just another white woman who goes into the jungle to 'find herself'. Sigourney Weaver gives the role plenty of energy (mostly by over-acting shamelessly), but the film suffers from too many tactical errors, beginning with a childishly simple script that reduces complex issues into one-dimensional conflicts between corrupt humankind and the unspoiled splendor of animal life in the wild. Critical moments are further undermined by gratuitous voice-over letters home and by Maurice Jarre's overwrought (and therefore not entirely inappropriate) music score. Even the expected romantic interest between Fossey and a handsome National geographic photographer is given the regulation Hollywood screen treatment, proving yet again that sincere intentions are never enough to salvage a trite and superficial film.

George-Holmes I guess I shouldn't vote on something I haven't seen all of. It could have risen to an 8. Then again it could have sunk to a 1. Or a zero.The best words to describe it are clunky, awkward, clumsy and uninspired. Sigourney Weaver (who I think is a terrific actress most of the time) is terrible here. I couldn't tell if she was going for camp comedy or melodrama, but it had to be one of the two. Her delivery was either wooden or awkwardly over the top. John Waters likely would not have allowed it, his movies have a consistency and flow to them, regardless of whether or not you are drawn to the subject matter.Granted, the script doesn't help and the director seems to be on auto-pilot.I'm also never a big fan of movies that depict ignorant foreigners entering a culture and loudly and brashly disrupting it and becoming very indignant when they can't walk all over it and subvert it for their own needs, despite centuries of culture being at stake. This kind of lack of sensitivity and tunnel vision tends to remind me of the attitudes that precluded slavery.I do however, give the film 2 points for beautiful cinematography, and one point for the acting of Weaver's friend who seems quite believable as a loyal friend and guide who sees the bigger picture but is powerless to impart this wisdom to Fossey. I took off the film (for a second time) about halfway through, just as Bryan Brown's character arrived, and he had only spouted a few clichés before I took it off again, so my I've made no judgement of that actor.The late 80's was a time of smug, disposable movies being churned out. Thank god it's over, (although some say it's coming back again) but you still be burned at the video store, and of course for a few hours of your time. I escaped with only one hour wasted.