Date: Fri 10-Jul-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: DONNAM

Quick Words:

Playing-Harrison-Heche-Ford

Full Text:

(rev "Six Days, Seven Nights" for Now Playing)

Now Playing--

An Engaging Diversion For Ford

By Trey Paul Alexander III

Recently, while listening to a sports-talk radio program, I was amused when a

caller ranted about the host's unprofessionalism because of his high tendency

to unwaveringly root for his favorite teams. "You're too much of a fan!," the

incensed caller hollered. "How can you pretend to be impartial?" Indeed, I

laughed, how dare he feign no bias! That said, this week I'm reviewing Six

Days, Seven Nights , the latest film from Harrison Ford, who I must confess to

be my favorite actor of all time -- lest I pretend to harbor no bias!

(In fact, if my favorite film -- Raiders of the Lost Ark -- had not made the

American Film Institute's recent list of the top 100 films, they would've

heard from me... but that's a discussion for another column.)

Six Days, Seven Nights , now playing, is not a great film, nor is it the best

one currently in theatres. Despite the fact that it has my main man in it, I

didn't love it. But it is an often funny, entertaining movie that is light on

its feet and fairly engaging summer diversion.

Ford stars as a beach bum pilot named Quinn who leads a self-absorbed

lifestyle on a tropical isle. He crosses paths with two chilly Manhattan

urbanites looking to thaw off: spunky, quick-witted Robin (Anne Heche), the

editor of a glossy New York magazine, and her fiance, Frank (David Schwimmer),

a seemingly kind-hearted fellow. The two city folk charter a flight with Quinn

when they take an impromptu vacation at this island paradise. But the movie

doesn't really get going until Quinn and Robin get stranded on a deserted

island after he tries to fly her to a last-minute photo shoot assignment.

During filming of Six Days, Seven Nights , much was made of the potential

chemistry (or lack thereof) between Heche and Ford, especially considering the

very public nature of Heche's off-screen relationship with Ellen Degeneres.

Many feared the leads' on-screen chemistry would fizz, and audiences would be

unwilling to accept Heche in this heterosexual, romantic role. Would there be

snickering every time Ford leaned in to kiss his co-star?

Despite all concerns, the chemistry between Ford and Heche is one of the most

appealing things about Six Days, Seven Nights .

Unfortunately, much of their early bantering is unusually crude for a PG-13

rated film (coarse references to body parts, raw language and even a flipping

of the proverbial bird), but thankfully their rapport is not based solely on

such witty repartee. The script wisely makes them two capable individuals who

begin to work together to solve their predicament, and it is during these

moments the two begin to shine. There's even a clever, throwaway bit in which

Ford's advancing age is addressed and a nice wink is given to the audience.

Ford's box office track record is impeccable, but the one area in which he has

not always triumphed is in his romantic comedies.

Working Girl was a bonafide hit, but the sublime Sabrina was not an undeniable

box office giant. In that remake of a Humphrey Bogart-Audrey Hepburn-William

Holden film, Ford capably took on the Bogart role, and here, in Six Days,

Seven Nights , he again takes on a Bogart-like persona, except this time it's

more in tune with the Bogart from The African Queen . Ford, known for his more

noble characters, is obviously enjoying himself here as more of a rapscallion,

and his co-star, following up fine turns in Donnie Brasco and Wag the Dog ,

more than follows his lead... she gives as good as she gets.

Six Days, Seven Nights is rated PG-13 for brief violence, raw language and

sensuality. It is not Ford's best comedy, nor is it for all audiences, but on

a carefree, summer day it's as welcome as a cool breeze.