LOCH NESS

UK, 1994, 96 minutes, Colour.
Ted Danson, Joely Richardson, Ian Holm, Harris Yulin, James Frain, Keith Allen, Kirsty Graham.
Directed by John Henderson.

Loch Ness is a film geared for children as well as for adults. A fantasy drama, it is perhaps more geared to adults than children.

Audiences expect something mysterious from a film with this title and the film opens with the mystery of the monster and the death of the investigating scientist. Ted Danson portrays a discredited scientist who had tracked all kinds of mysterious creatures. Avoiding lectures, drinking, he is sent by his ambitious boss (Harris Yulin) to Scotland to get him out of the way. He is met by an enthusiastic young scientist played by James Frain. He also parks in the driveway of the bed and breakfast owned by Joely Richardson and immediately an antagonism starts. However, he makes great friends with her daughter Isobel (Kirsty Graham). Ian Holm portrays the authority in the area, the water bailiff, while Keith Allen portrays the captain of a ship, clashing with the investigating scientists.

The different characters interact both to highlight the possibilities for finding the creature or not. Ultimately, the scientist is led by the little girl to a cave where he finds a colony of creatures and photographs them. On his return to America, he is challenged by the ambition of his boss and the eagerness of people to know - and decides to keep hidden the identity and place of seeing the creatures.

The film has a great deal of sentiment, especially with Ted Danson and Joely Richardson and the interaction with the young girl.

1. The appeal of the film? Knowledge of the Loch Ness Monster, the theories, the fantasies? The film's option for the creature to exist, prehistoric creatures and a colony under Loch Ness?

2. The location photography, the beauty of the lake, the surrounding countryside? Action on the lake? The contrast with the American academic world? The musical score and the evocation of Scotland?

3. The creature, prehistoric, people's response over the centuries? Scientific theories and investigations? The film's option for the existence of the creature, seen on the sonar, its tail and the destruction of ships, the cave, the creatures, the photographs? The keeping of the secret of the Loch Ness Monster?

4. The character of Dempsey, his past history, people ridiculing him, his being down and out, avoiding lectures, drinking? Sent to Scotland? His unwillingness, wanting to move out? Being seen as a celebrity and feted? Adrian's response and support, his drinking, parking in the driveway, Laura and her hostile reaction? His friendship with Isobel and her welcoming him into the house? His staying, the mellowing of Laura, their relationship? Adrian and his support, the water bailiff and his warnings against searching for the monster? Gordon Shoals and his hostility, the attack on the boat? The fights? Ultimately Dempsey being led to the cave, Isobel's revelation, her falling into the water, his rescue, the photos? His return to America, the plan to show the photos, his change of heart, showing the drawings? The humiliation of his boss, the anger of the other scientists? Despite the clash, his return to Scotland and to Laura and Isobel?

5. Laura, the bed and breakfast, bringing up her daughter? The clash with Dempsey, allowing him in the house, the relationship, her feeling that he exploited the situation, her not wanting to see the photos? His return? Isobel, at ease with Dempsey, playing games, talking? Her leading him to the cave, her dismay at the photos, falling into the water, being rescued? The happy ending?

6. The water bailiff, his stern attitude, warning Dempsey off? On the water? The final train journey and his antagonistic attitude? Shoals and his antagonism, the fights, the two boats and the collision? The final confrontation?

7. Adrian, his knowledge, devotion to Dempsey, admiration? Going on the boat with him, the search? His disillusionment and clash with him?

8. The academics in the United States, the head of the department, his manipulation, sending Dempsey to Scotland? The final presentation, his comeuppance?

9. The Scots, their way of life, the legends of Loch Ness? The Americans and their coming in and changing things? Scotland winning out in the end?