Local Hero the Main Character

Local Hero The main character of the story is "Mac" MacIntyre, an executive employed at Knox Oil and Gas. He lives in Houston, Texas, surrounding himself with all the luxuries his job can afford. His apartment for example is lavishly decorated, including the most modern of technology. His needs and wants include continuing his lavish lifestyle, and remaining basically isolated from human contact.

He conducts all his business affairs by means of communications technology; the telephone or telex machine; or at the very least with some physical isolating device such as glass or a large desk between himself and the other person. It is therefore with some trepidation that MacIntyre receives the news that he has been selected for an assignment in Scotland. Here he is to acquire the village of Ferness for a refinery his company is planning there.

His protest, "I'm more of a Telex man," is indicative of his need for continued isolation. The inciting incident is Mac's assignment for departure to Scotland. He is taken out of a life that he has cultivated for his own comfort. As such, the Scotland assignment removes the main character from his "comfort zone" as it were. Further adding to his discomfort is the fact that Mac is not really Scottish, but Hungarian. His Scottish-sounding name was given to him by his immigrant family, who mistook it for American.

The initial tension is then incited by two main factors: Mac's preference for connecting with people on a very distant level; and Mac's heritage, which is not truly Scottish, so it is unlikely that he will be able to communicate with the Scottish on their level right away. 3) the second-act tension begins upon Mac's arrival in Ferness. The differences between the Scottish small town and his own big-city American culture becomes immediately apparent when he arrives at the hotel.

He is informed that the door to the hotel is "never locked." Another element is the closeness of nature. Mac feels as out of place and uncomfortable in proximity to nature as he does in proximity to people. He is used to a life regulated by technology; telephones, the Telex and his wristwatch. Indeed, the villagers observe him constantly looking at his wristwatch. The tension is gradually resolved: once Mac becomes so deeply involved with gathering seashells that he leaves his watch on a rock and it is washed away.

The resolution is complete when Mac is so moved by a wild Scottish party that he requests a native to change lives with him. He has completely accepted the native lifestyle. 4) the third-act tension relates directly to Mac's new feelings regarding Ferness. He has begun to care about the townspeople and the beauty of their land. He is therefore reluctant for his purpose there to be successful. The irony is however that the townspeople are eager to sell, feigning disinterest only to raise the offer.

Mac's evolution and growth become evident in his changing feelings regarding the Scottish environment as opposed to his home. 5) the theme of the film appears to relate to the alienation brought about by urban living. Before he knows another lifestyle, Mac is perfectly happy to be controlled by technology. In fact, he appears to regard his Telex and other gadgets as closer friends than actual human beings. When he lets a few of his acquaintances know that he is leaving, they do not appear to find it particularly important.

Indeed, Mac appears to be as inhuman as his machines. In Ferness, however, Mac is forcefully reconnected with his humanity. He finds that he begins to care about people instead of money, machines, or luxury. The theme therefore relates to small-town humanity vs. big-city impersonal business. 6) the mid-act climax occurs during the third-act tension, when it is revealed that the entire beach belongs to Ben Knox. This information comes to light only when the deal is close to fruition.

The old man refuses to sell, no matter what he is offered. His contentment with things as they are relates to the theme of the serenity of a life close to nature as opposed to a life filled by a constant but circular rush from place to place. 7) There are several subplots in the film. The first of these is Felix Happer, the chairman of the board of Knox Oil & Gas, and Mac's boss. He is extremely wealthy and powerful, but psychologically somewhat fragile.

In order to help face his problems, Happer engages an "abuse therapist" to hurl various forms of ill treatment at him. He is also interested in furthering his chances of immortality. He addresses this need by compulsively scanning the skies for a comet to bear his name. This relates to the theme as a whole in its commentary on how fleeting and futile the world of business is.

His extreme wealth does not make Felix Happer a happy man, nor does it bring him peace of mind or any sense of contentment. In contrast, the beachcomber/owner Ben Knox lives in complete poverty and utter contentment in the knowledge that no force on earth can take his beach from him without his permission. Another subplot is the developing romance between Danny Oldsen, Mac's Scottish associate, and Marina. The latter is a marine biologist who wishes to establish an oceanic research station in the area.

This subplot relates to the overall dichotomy between small-town living and big-city discontent. Danny represents the trappings of large-scale business, while Marina, as her name also suggests, represents the return to nature. Indeed, it is suggested that Marina is in truth a mermaid. 8) it has been mentioned above that Mac goes through a number of changes. While he never comes into open conflict with the lifestyle of the Ferness citizens, the differences are obvious from the start. Mac however becomes ever more deeply engaged in his new lifestyle.

While he is initially observed as constantly looking at his watch, he later leaves his watch forgotten on a rock while collecting shells. Later he takes increasing walks on the beach, and his clothing becomes increasingly casual. During his walks on the beach the expression on his face is shown to be serene. He also begins to sympathize with the local citizens on an emotional level and fights for what he believes they want.

He participates in cultural events and comes into closer physical contact with other people than ever before in his business. 9) the most effective character introduction in the film is Mac's protest, "I'm more of a Telex man," which sums up exactly what he.