A review of Peter Weir‘s classic 1980s drama, “The Mosquito Coast” starring Harrison Ford—about an American inventor exhausted by the perceived danger and degradation of modern society, who decides to escape with his wife and children to the jungles of South America to start over— on Letterboxed humorously describes the film as, about “a fine-ass Libertarian mad scientist who brings ice to Belize.” That’s a little reductive but does speak to the nature of how relevant “The Mosquito Coast” is today.
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Not unlike the suspicious, conspiracy-theory-laden mindset of American militia mad-men building up stockpiles of arms for the impending apocalypse, Harrison Ford’s scientist character in Weir’s classic film is distrustful of the government, paranoid, and afraid of the way society is no longer functioning (remind you of anyone?). So he drops out of society and starts over in the jungles. The new AppleTV+ series reimagines the same idea as a series directed by Rupert Wyatt (“The Escapist,” “Rise of the Planet of the Apes“). From award-winning novelist and creator Neil Cross, this new version of “The Mosquito Coast” stars Justin Theroux, Melissa George, Logan Polish, and Gabriel Bateman. Here’s the official synopsis:
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From award-winning novelist Neil Cross, and based on the best-selling book by Paul Theroux, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, “The Mosquito Coast” is a gripping adventure and layered character drama following the dangerous journey of a radical idealist and brilliant inventor, Allie Fox (played by Justin Theroux), who uproots his family for Mexico when they suddenly find themselves on the run from the US government.
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The seven-episode series is created for television and executive produced by Neil Cross. Rupert Wyatt directs the first two episodes and serves as executive producer alongside author Paul Theroux, star Justin Theroux, and Edward L. McDonnell. Alan Gasmer, Peter Jaysen, and Bob Bookman also serve as executive producers for Veritas Entertainment Group. Developed by Neil Cross and Tom Bissell, “The Mosquito Coast” is a Fremantle Production for Apple TV+.
“The Mosquito Coast” premiere Friday, April 30, 2021, on Apple TV+. Watch the new trailer below.