Theme Song: “Never Say Goodbye (Theme from Continental Divide)” by Helen Reddy.
This song fits with the movie because it’s cheesy and not good.
Interesting Dated References: John Belushi’s attempt at “romantic leading man”.
Social Context: Despite no one asking for it, Continental Divide was conceived by writer Lawrence Kasdan as a tribute to screwball comedies of the 1940s (think His Girl Friday). This results in a movie that tonally can’t commit and, at times, plays like uninspired slapstick with Belushi’s buffoonery in contrast to Blair Brown’s uptight scientist romantic interest.
Summary: Chicago newspaper reporter Ernie Souchak (Belushi) runs afoul of a local politician after exposing corruption and is reassigned to the wilds of Wyoming to cover Nell Porter (Blair Brown), a scientist researching bald eagles.
The two are immediately at odds with each other, but Nell is convinced to let Ernie stay for two weeks. After confronting poachers, getting attacked by various animals, and falling down a bunch, Ernie wins her over, and they make love in a very dimly lit scene.
Things get more convoluted after the two lovers part. Ernie returns to Chicago, exposes more corruption, and Nell comes to town for a lecture. There’s a bunch of romantic conflict because of their differing lifestyles.
But none of that matters because things are drab, and the two leads lack chemistry. Yes, they eventually end up together after many more hijinxes and more Chicago scenery.
Worth Mentioning:
– As noted, a lot of Chicago scenery, including scenes inside a cigarette smoke-filled Sun Times building.
– Directed by Michael Apted, following his Oscar win for Coal Miner’s Daughter. Stephen Spielberg was going to direct this, but instead wisely opted for Raiders of the Lost Ark.
– Belushi’s second-to-last role is as a romantic lead, and he was shockingly sober throughout filming.
– Lawrence Kasdan wrote this miserable and unfunny script.
Poster and Box Art: No two people in love with each other would ever get in this pose. It’s awkward and uncomfortable. Especially given Belushi’s character repeatedly complains about his back injury.
