The Cast of The Mosquito Coast



 
Harrison Ford (Allie Fox)
This was Ford's second teaming with Peter Weir after their enormous success together with Witness. If the character of John Book had been a change of pace role for Ford, this one was a complete identity switch. Ford and the film took a major beating from the critics and from the general public. In later interviews, Ford said he wasn't sure if he quite managed to nail the character. Still many do believe it is his best performance to date.

Aside from the Star Wars and Indiana Jones trilogies, some of Ford's best work can be seen in Air Force One, The Devil's Own, The Fugitive, and Blade Runner.


 
River Phoenix (Charlie Fox)
According to Rio's Attic, River Phoenix was initially turned down for the role because Peter Weir thought he was too old for the part of Charlie. Weir wanted Wil Wheaton for the part. However, after Weir discovered certain similarities between River Phoenix's life and that of the Fox family, he decided to go with him.

Phoenix left quite an impression on the world of film in a short period of time. Before his untimely death in 1993, he gave us such classics as Dogfight, Running on Empty, and Stand by Me.


 
Helen Mirren (Mother)
A well-respected actress of film, television and stage, she has won several Emmys for her television work (including recently for The Passion of Ayn Rand), an Oscar nomination for her role in The Madness of King George, as well as a number of BAFTA (British Television) awards. She is perhaps best known for her role as Jane Tennison in the award winning series Prime Suspect. Other memorable films include Cal, The Comfort of Strangers, The Long Good Friday, Excalibur, and The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover. Recently, she portrayed the vicious teacher in Teaching Mrs. Tingle.
- information courtesy of The Helen Mirren Appreciation Society

 
Andre Gregory (Rev. Spellgood)
He is best known by some for his part in the talkative My Dinner With Andre, which he co-wrote and co-starred in with Wallace Shawn. The two actors (along with director Louis Malle) teamed up once again in the critically acclaimed Vanya on 42nd Street. He has also had small roles in such films as Woody Allen's Celebrity, Demolition Man, The Bonfire of the Vanities, and The Last Temptation of Christ.

 
Martha Plimpton (Emily Spellgood)
With her beautiful line "I think about you when I go to the bathroom," she left a memorable impression despite her small role. She and co-star River Phoenix began dating during the making of the film. The two of them later starred together in the wonderfully moving Running on Empty. Her career has focused more on independent films than mainstream Hollywood. Her earliest films included The River Rat (playing a young tomboy) and The Goonies. Memorable films since include The Shy People, Another Woman, Parenthood, Chantilly Lace, and Beautiful Girls. 

 
 
Jadrien Steele (Jerry Fox)
Conrad Roberts (Mr. Haddy)
Hilary and Rebecca Gordon
(April and Clover Fox)

 
 
Dick O'Neill (Mr. Polski)
William Newman (Captain Smalls)
Jason Alexander (Store Clerk)


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