Word: neeson
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...ought to fill such need as we have for tallish tales about brawny, if disheveled, folk heroes rallying the clans against the English interlopers. But here comes Mel Gibson's Braveheart, recounting the revolutionary doings of myth-enshrouded William Wallace in the 13th century, while Rob Roy, featuring Liam Neeson as the legendary 17th century freedom fighter, is still in the theaters. One has to suspect that this curious coincidence is inspired less by a sudden Hollywood interest in the murkier realms of British history than by an irresistible temptation to get a couple of cute guys into kilts...
...would gi'e a wee turn in his Scots grave if confronted by the all too earnest romping on "Rob Roy"'s highland stage. What is it about mediocrity of the sincerest kind that is so especially depressing? If you can't squeeze out the requisite tears over Liam Neeson's trials and tribulations, turn your thoughts to current mainstream moviedom and weep. "Rob Roy" is only symptomatic of a greater...
...film is set in eighteenth century Scotland, a time, a rolling script informs us, of great hardship for the Scots. In an age of corruption and despair, Robert Roy MacGregor (Liam Neeson) upholds the ancient clannish honor. Supported by his bonny red-haired wife Mary (Jessica Lange) and a host of loyal MacGregors, Rob Roy matches wits and brawn with the dastardly Archibald Cunningham (Tim Roth), bewigged defiler (and then some) of the MacGregor name...
Unfortunately, Liam Neeson's performance is sloppier on all accounts. From semi-artsy actor, he seems to be mutating into an Irish Kevin Costner. The plains of the Midwest may be far from the Scottish highlands, but sensitive tribal men vanquish all boundaries. Bekilted and long-haired, Neeson is only concerned with his honor and his woman. Embarrassing petal-strewn love scenes are only a little worse than Rob Roy's lifeless professions of integrity and honor. Neeson's pallid presence does more to ruin the film than anything else...
Jessica Lange is a firebrand beside Neeson's drooping bulk, even if she is saddled with the stiff-upper-lip female role. And Brian McCardie, who plays the eager young Alasdair MacGregor, is an adorable hyperbole. Of course...