SNMR 1.30: "Romancing the Stone"

Tonight's SNMR feature is Romancing the Stone (1984, PG, 106 minutes) starring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, Danny DeVito, Alfonso Arau, Manuel Ojeda, and Zack Norman. The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis.

I first saw this film in the theater when it originally came out twenty-two years ago. I remember it well because as a fifteen year old boy just starting to become interested in women, Kathleen Turner was one sexy lady. And as I've said before, Michael Douglas is one of my favorite actors. Danny DeVito is excellent for comic relief.

From the DVD's dust jacket:

Michael Douglas and kathleen Turner have the adventure of their lives in this hugely successful romantic caper co-starring Danny DeVito.
When her sister is kidnapped by thugs searching for a priceless jewel in the Colombian jungle, a romance novelist (Turner) soon finds her own life filled with cliffhangers and danger. All alone, she sets out to rescue her sister and meets up with a handsome fortune seeker (Douglas) who convinces her to beat the bandits to the treasure.

From Martin & Porter's DVD & Video Guide 2006, p. 964:

A rip-snorting adventure film that combines action, a love story, suspense and plenty of laughs, this movie stars Kathleen Turner as a timid romance novelist who becomes involved in a situation more dangerous, exciting, and romantic than anything she could ever dream up. Michael Douglas plays the shotgun wielding soldier of fortune who comes to her aid.

This film put director Robert Zemeckis on the map in Hollywood. It's the first of three films with the excellent team of Douglas, Turner and DeVito (Jewel of the Nile and War of the Roses are the other two). The script is well written and fast paced with plenty of action. I don't think this film would have been possible or at least as successful if not for Raiders of the Lost Ark, which came out three years earlier and sort of reinvented the action hero adventure film genre. If you haven't seen this film in a while, it's worth a rent, or to purchase in the newly released special edition. I'll give this film five out of five stars. An all around enjoyable movie.