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theoscarsproject · 10 months ago

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Harry and the Hendersons (1987). The Henderson family adopt a friendly Sasquatch but have a hard time trying to keep the legend of 'Bigfoot' a secret.

The 80s really loved their family creature features, huh? This is mmm, not one of the better ones, between the underdeveloped family relationships and the too-light sitcom feel, but John Lithgow's always more fun than it feels like he has any right to be, and the Harry suit genuinely is a terrific technical feat, so an extra half star for them. 5/10.

#harry and the hendersons #1987 #Oscars 60 #Nom: Makeup #Won: Makeup #William Dear #bill martin #Ezra D. Rappaport #john lithgow #melinda dillon #Joshua Rudoy #bigfoot #america #american #family #fantasy #comedy #5/10

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80smovies · 1 year ago

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#Harry and the Hendersons #William Dear #Bill Martin #Ezra D. Rappaport #80s

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adamwatchesmovies · 2 years ago

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Harry and the Hendersons (1987)

I’ve had some bad experiences with Bigfoot movies. I remember enjoying Abominable, which is basically Rear Window with a Skunk Ape. Sasquatch, with Lance Henriksen is so bad you’re better off forgetting it. Most examples of the "genre" either fall into the offensive category. At best you'll get something so bad it's good again (I recommend Nightclaws if that’s what you’re looking for). After all these horror movies, it was a surprise to find a gentle, family friendly and charming Abominable Snowman film in the form of Harry and the Hendersons even more surprising is that it's good!

While on a family hunting/camping trip, the Hendersons – father George (John Lithgow), mother Nancy (Melinda Dillon) and their two children Sarah (Margaret Langrick) and Ernie (Joshua Rudoy) – hit a Sasquatch with their car. Unaware that it’s merely knocked out, they strap it to the roof of their vehicle and bring it home.

Created by Rick Baker, “Harry” is a marvellous special effect. You can’t tell whether it’s someone in a suit and makeup or an elaborate electronic. I’m sure it’s a mixture of both but the creature’s movements, its facial expressions, the way it’s shot make it completely convincing. If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear they actually had a Sasquatch on-screen.

This is not a frightening film at all, but if you’re looking to make one, you’ve got to see the way director William Dear handles Harry. You are slowly teased the design. As the Hendersons peer over what they think is a carcass that would send any cryptozoologist into an ocean of ectasy, you see just enough to wet your appetite. You’ll be on your tiptoes trying to peer over the edge of your TV to see Harry’s face and when they finally show the creature in its full glory, you’re blown away. The special effects give Harry a wonderfully expressive face that conveys emotions you instantly relate to. Even without any dialogue, Harry becomes an instantly lovable entity.

The film also features a surprisingly strong character arc for John Lithgow’s character, George. A run-of-the-mill picture would have an obvious change that goes something like this: at first, he doesn’t like Harry. Maybe he wants to kill, or sell the creature for money. By the end, he’d consider Harry a friend or a member of the family. In Harry and the Hendersons, the character is deeper than that. We learn about George's relationship with his father (M. Emmet Walsh), what made him the man he is today and where he’ll go in the future. John Lithgow is a great actor and it’s satisfying to see that he isn’t simply walking around in a dumb role while shenanigans happen around the house. There’s a moment where he spends time drawing a promotional poster for his father’s store and the way that plays out hit a strong cord with me.

There are plenty of laughs and warm emotions found throughout the film. Even the villains are not really that bad and the conclusion resists the obvious, lame decisions we often see in children’s films. Instead, it opts for the right choice and pursues the tone it’s had throughout all the way through.

I’m not going to call the picture a classic. You can’t help but compare the film to E.T. and this just isn't on that same level. Some of the characters are dropped halfway through and not all of the jokes work… but that’s ok. It's the perfect pick for a family movie night that includes both the young and the old. (On VHS, April 24, 2018)