Review of The Mosquito Coast (1986) by Truerock — 17 May 2021

An interesting take and loosely based on a novel written by Paul Theoroux. This Apple TV series provides more thought material than is typical of American film.

The acting is all very good and interesting to watch. The writing is very good and actually sometimes better than the original novel. So, even if you have read the novel and/or seen the 1986 movie I think most people will enjoy this TV series even more.

I'm compelled to say that I do not like Logan Polish's interpretation of Dina the teenage daughter. Perhaps because I anticipated something much better. I may have set my expectations too high. It seems to me that perhaps whoever decided to cast Polish for the part expected something different (based on Polish's past work) and unfortunately did not get a good result. The part of the 15 year old daughter is important to the series and it is unfortunate that it did not work out. I would wager a large sum that Polish did not screen test for the role. Or, maybe it was just a case of poor casting. Anyway, I think Polish has a lot of potential and I hope to see her in other roles that are a better fit for her.

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I just read some of the professional reviews of Apple TV's The Mosquito Coast.

As always, I am astounded at how incompetent professional critics are.

I'll provide a hint to potential viewers that may help you better appreciate the film.

The main character Allie Fox (husband and father) is a villain. According to the author of the novel, Allie Fox is partly based on the character Pap in the Samuel Clemens novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

If you are a father and a husband you might see a little bit of yourself (in a very exaggerated way) in the Allie Fox character.