Got contacted by Pris about her attendance at an intimate test screening of 6 Days 7 Nights, the new Harrison Ford film. Now overall she liked it, but she did have a problem with Anne Heche. At this point, I would say this is an opinion of one person, and it only becomes a serious concern when we hear an echo of the same feeling. It does sound like a curious film, I haven't seen a 'funny' Harrison in a while.
Two weeks ago I saw a tiny sneak (90 people) of "6 Days 7 Nights" at Disney. Ivan Reitman was not only there in the back, but he descended past the masking tape and introduced the film himself. No spoilers in this mini-review. First off Harrison Ford was funny-VERY FUNNY-surprise surprise. Playing a very Bogart-like character; boozing, leering, and damn sexy. The problem here is the female lead, Anne Heche, oh my God is she MISCAST. WOW! Zero chemistry between them. She has no softness, no vulnerability; her idea of playing sexy is not wearing a bra. Think Ethel Merman stomping around barking orders at poor Harrison Ford. In fact one of the funniest moments comes early on after Heche has been nagging at him as they climb a hill and Ford finally excuses himself and steps into some bushes to scream in utter frustration.
If you know the Lina Wertmueller film "Swept Away" on which this movie was based and are hoping for some of that film's carnal sexuality you will be very disappointed. Almost any other actress would have been better, think what Rene Russo did to Clint Eastwood and Kevin Costner. To compensate the story veers away from the whole point, a strong man and woman marooned on an island who fall into lust & then love, and ends up like an episode of "I Love Lucy" but with Ricki & Ethel as the nagging couple. Finally they end up throwing in Pirates and the story turns into an action adventure tale. But in spite of the terrible miscasting, Harrison Ford walks away fairly unscathed and showing us a new side to his repertoire, a comedian.
