IN LIKE FLYNN Starring: Thomas Cocquerel, Clive Standen and Corey Large Directed by: Russell Mulcahy Rated: R Running time: 1 hr 46 mins Blue Fox Entertainment
Fletcher Christian. Peter Blood. Robin Hood. "Gentleman" Jim Corbett. All of these men had great adventures on the big screen. But none of them were as exciting as the early adventures of the actor who portrayed them, Errol Flynn. Some of those adventures are on display in the new film, "In Like Flynn."
The film begins in New Guinea in 1930. There we find Flynn (Cocquerel) leading a film producer (Daniel Fogler), his cameraman and some helpers through the jungle, looking for images to be used in an upcoming film. Their presence upsets the local tribesmen and soon the group is fleeing for its life, with Flynn repeatedly saving their hides. When they are successfully back at their camp, the producer tells Flynn he needs to come to Hollywood. But Flynn has other plans.
I've always been fascinated by the back-stories of people. What incidents from their past led them to their present. If "In Like Flynn," which is based in part from some of Flynn's writings,is to be believed, the roles he would later play were boring compared to his life experiences. Sailing the oceans. Hunting for gold. And, in true Flynn fashion, a big hit with the ladies, the film portrays him as a real life Indiana Jones. He lived for adventure.
The cast is first rate. As Flynn, Cocquerel has the good looks that made the Tazmanian Devil a star. More importantly, he captures the spirit with which Flynn approached every day of his life. No matter the circumstances, you can always see the gleam of mischief in his eyes. As his best friend and fellow adventurer, Rex, Corey Large (who also produced and co-wrote the film) is equally good. The two actors make a great team and their chemistry keeps the film moving. Also keeping the film moving is the fluid direction of Russell Mulcahy. Mulcahy, who turned a brilliant career making music videos (his video for "Video Killed the Radio Star" was the first ever shown on MTV) into Hollywood features, among them "Highlander" and "Ricochet." Even after four decades behind the camera it's clear that he hasn't lost his talent for taking viewers on a visual adventure. And it's one I highly recommend you take.
