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Local Hero is a charming comedy-drama film from 1983 that tells the story of a young and ambitious businessman who is sent to a remote Scottish village to negotiate the purchase of their coastline for an American oil company. Directed by Bill Forsyth, the film features a stellar cast including Burt Lancaster, Peter Riegert, Fulton Mackay, and Peter Capaldi.

The movie begins when a Texan oil company, Knox Oil and Gas, sends its promising executive Mac MacIntyre, played by Peter Riegert, to the small coastal village of Ferness with a mission to conclude a deal to purchase the town and its surrounding land for drilling purposes. From the moment he steps off the plane, Mac becomes immersed in the quirky and delightful atmosphere of the small town as he gets to know its peculiar residents.

In the town, Mac meets the local hotel owner and accountant, Gordon Urquhart, played by Fulton Mackay, who becomes his guide and confidant as he navigates through the idiosyncrasies of the town. Mac's initial plan is to offer the townspeople a generous sum of money in exchange for their land, but he quickly discovers that some of the townsfolk are not as eager to sell as he had expected. Mac's negotiations become complicated when he starts to fall for Urquhart's daughter, Stella, played by Jenny Seagrove, who is also one of the villagers opposed to selling their land.

Throughout the film, we get to see the quirky and lovable nature of the Ferness villagers, who are fiercely protective of their land, their way of life, and their heritage. We are introduced to Old Ben, played by Lancaster, a local who lives in a shack on the beach, and who becomes an unwitting consultant to Mac as he navigates the peculiarities of the village and its inhabitants. We also meet the town's eccentric marine biologist, Ben Knox, played by Capaldi, who develops a fondness for Mac, and the town's mailman, Victor, who is one of the most vocal against the sale of their land.

Despite meeting some resistance along the way, Mac becomes committed to his task and starts to appreciate the beauty, simplicity, and contentment of the villagers' way of life, leading him to question the potential environmental footprint of drilling for oil. As the locals celebrate and welcome Mac, he is left with a tough decision to follow his heart, or go ahead with his initial plan and secure his own future with the oil company.

The movie's score, composed by Mark Knopfler, beautifully captures the allure of the Scottish coastal scenery and the comical charm of the village's inhabitants. The film features stunning visuals, with the stunning coastline and picturesque landscapes of Scotland making their appearance throughout the movie.

In conclusion, Local Hero is an excellent film that combines elements of comedy, drama, and romance to tell a story about community, values, and the search for meaning. The film explores themes such as greed, environmentalism, identity, and the importance of relationships, and does so with a gentle, humorous, and poignant approach. The impressive ensemble cast and the gorgeous visuals make Local Hero a classic film that remains highly regarded to this day.

Local Hero is a 1983 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 84.