Here's a kinda middle of the road review of SIX DAYS SEVEN NIGHTS. Which seems to be in league with just about everyone I've heard from on the film. Just kinda lukewarm. Man, I wish Harrison picked meatier films. I miss the Harrison Ford that would team up with Saul Zaentz, play a crazy abusive father, and have a 'small smart film'. I miss that Ford. Though I guess an arguement could be made about the risk of doing a SABRINA remake... true true... I'm just blowing smoke. Here's Mr Safire's views....
This is my first e-mail to you. Last night I attended a press screening / test screening of Six Days, Seven Nights. They required me to sign some kind of promise not to review the movie on the internet. I feel strongly that such a request is deeply offensive, and goes against my beliefs in a free press. Also, there were scores of film critics in attendance, and I don't want Disney to be able to control what people say, so here I am. If you need to give me a name, call me Mr. Safire.
Six Days, Seven Nights is the latest installment in the grand tradition of movies that throw together opposites into a journey and watch them fall in love. The genre goes back to at least "It Happened One Night", and includes "The African Queen" and "Crocodile Dundee". Of these three, Six Days most resembles Crocodile Dundee, given the utter lightness and exotic locale.
The premise is obvious: Beautiful uptight yuppee gets trapped on a desert island with a rugged man. Mercifully, the film gets the obvious stuff over quickly, and spends most of its time on the island. The plane-wrecked couple get into a series of fairly ludicrous situations, which are only made tolerable by the skimpy outfits worn by the two stars. There a few funny lines, and some great island scenery. The ending is obvious from the moment the film begins, but the audience seemed to enjoy it just the same.
Acting: This is Anne Heche's movie. She is terrific, probably the best actress in Hollywood younger than Jody Foster, and her fans will not be disappointed. The fact of her off-screen relationship with Ellen actually works to her advantage here because it contributes to the tension with Harrison Ford. Also, she is stunning to look at. I hope that this movie saves her career, because I understand that she has not been offered a part in a studio film since she came out.
Harrison Ford does a serviceable job as the leading man, redeeming himself somewhat for previous lapses in romantic roles such as in "Sabrina" and "Regarding Henry" (although he was great in "Witness"). I hope he doesn't do just action films for the rest of his career. He speaks a few words of French at the end, which is a bonus.
David Schwimmer just sucks. The man cannot act at all. He was basically Ross without the laughtrack. His fifteen minutes are just about over.
Direction: Not one of Ivan Reitman's better efforts. I get the distinct sense that a lot of this film got edited out.
One more thing: couldn't they come up with a better name than Six Days, Seven Nights? I mean anything is better than that. How about "Trapped in Paradise"?
In sum, this movie is a predictable crowd-pleaser. The sub-plots were dumb and some of the island high-jinx was ludicrous. Still, if you're looking to beat the heat for a few hours, you can hardly go wrong with these two on an island. It probably will have modest success as a date-film. .
