‘Land Ho!’ a Funny Film Driven by Memorable Characters

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Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – The pure, character-driven film is as rare as a comic book movie with a bad opening weekend. “Land Ho!” is one of those celluloid treats, the simple story of “Odd Couple” senior citizens – portrayed unforgettably by Earl Lynn Wilson and Paul Eenhoorn – who take a trip to the country of Iceland, and learn how to, and how not to, get along.

The Foghorn Leghorn machinations of Earl Lynn Wilson blend and clash purposely with the lower-keyed Eenhoorn. They both tolerate and love one another, which is the best way to generate drama or comedy, even in the midst of such a simple story. Wilson is a hoot, it’s impossible to make up such a character, and indeed the surgeon-turned-actor will inevitably exclaim, “that’s me, baby!” The veteran actor Eenhoorn clings more to character, but even he gets sucked into the Earl Lynn vortex, and the irascible old coot and low key brother-in-law characters create beautiful and hilarious music together.

Mitch (Earl Lynn Wilson) is a retired, twice-divorced surgeon. He gets an itch for adventure and invites his former brother-in-law Colin on an all-expenses paid trip to Iceland. Colin almost reluctantly agrees – he lives very modestly and doesn’t have funds for traveling since his wife died. The two sixty-something fellow travelers board a plane for mysteries that only another country can provide.

The Two and Only: Mitch (Earl Lynn Nelson) and Colin (Paul Eenhoorn) in ‘Land Ho!’
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Classics

The rest of the journey is basically what happens to them. Mitch starts the proceedings by inviting a much younger distant cousin and a friend to dinner (they are also traveling), and the generational clash is evident as they end up in a loud nightclub. That doesn’t stop Mitch, he loves partying and smoking pot. The more low-keyed Colin gamely tries to keep up, but their differences almost derails the trip. Can these two tourists stick together without driving each other crazy?

Wilson is having his “star is born” moment. If offers don’t flood in for him to do character parts, then casting agents are wasting an amazing opportunity. His finely trued real personality is just that - so real. Co-writers and directors Aaron Katz and Martha Stephens are able to capture Wilson at precisely the right time in his life. This man – with only two previous acting credits, both in movies by Stephens – does not give a hoot about what anybody thinks about him, and performs his role accordingly.

Australian-born Eenhoorn, on the other hand, is a 22-year acting veteran. He creates the character of Colin precisely and volleys with Mitch like a tennis player straddling the back line. Back and forth the two go, and Colin will not let Mitch get the best of him, even though their styles are completely different. Much of the comedy comes from this “Odd Couple” aspect, and by the end of the film they just have to look at each other for their interaction to be funny.

Katz and Stephens use Iceland as a character, and the brilliance of the landscape is in perfect comedy contrast to an old man smoking dope. The atmosphere of this shining place enfolds the two travelers, and embraces them. In an interview with HollywoodChicago.com, director Aaron Katz spoke of how – even in the most touristy of tourist traps – Iceland is transcendent. The film actually serves as a travelogue for the enigma of the oddly named country,

Mitch Just Wants to Have Fun in ‘Land Ho!’
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Classics

The directors use the atmosphere as in a dream. If you wanted to get metaphorical, it could represent the afterlife for the two old gents, with Mitch an erstwhile Saint Peter. The things that they do get increasing more daring and involved, as if they are proceeding up a progressive stepladder of events. By the end, there is no need for conclusions, only one more tap of a hammer for their work-in-progress Iceland sculpture.

If you’re in a bad mood, or are having a bad series of events, drop in on Mitch and Colin. Through this pairing of opposites, there is a sunny and optimistic lesson about being yourself at any age, and allowing the circumstances of life to just wash over, like hot spring sauna waters in a place called Iceland.

By PATRICK McDONALD Senior Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com