Sunday Afternoon Movie: Blast From The Past

This week I fancied a change, after last week’s psychological offering with David Fincher’s The Game,  something light and easy going was sorely needed for this extra lazy Sunday Afternoon Movie. I have plenty of those in my collection, well truth be told I have a shocking shortage of light easy going movies, on occasion I’ve been accused of claiming the likes of The Road or The Mist are a fun life affirming treat.

Despite the wealth of choice of under 30 films it was still a simple decision, the 1999 romantic comedy Blast From The Past. This film can be filed under the hidden gem category as well, few people went to see it at the cinema and 12 years on it’s still yet to rise to even cult status.

Starring Brendon Fraser, Sissy Spacek, Christopher Walken and Alica Silverstone, Blast From The Past is a perfect choice for post roast Sunday afternoon viewing. The story starts in 1960′s America, the Webers huddle into their bomb shelter as the believe nuclear war is upon them. Mistaking a plane crashing on their house for a bomb, they spend the next 35 years underground in their shelter. Did I mention that Mrs Weber (Spacek) is heavily pregnant?

They raise their son Adam with traditional values, Mr weber teaches him history, boxing, maths and etiquette and his mother shows him how to dance.  On Adam’s 35th birthday his father suffers a heart attack, so they send Adam to the surface to get supplies and maybe meet a nice girl from  Pasadena.

The classic ‘fish out of water’ set up has been well used (even by 1999s standards), but it only works in Blast From The Past’s favour. Everything about the film is old-fashioned and dare I say, wholesome. It’s the sort of film you want to take home to meet your mother.

Fraser is very likeable as Adam, I have often felt he has struggled to be consistant with his film choices throughout his career. He’s in the odd good film here or there (Crash, Gods and Monsters), then he seems to make ‘that’ll do’ movies (Journey to The Centre of The Earth, Mummy 3, Monkeybone, Fury Vengence, Dudly Doright).
Sissy Spacek is brilliant as Mrs Weber, so brilliant it makes you wonder why she hasn’t done more comedy. Walken is a joy to watch as Adam’s somewhat mad but well-meaning father and Silverstone is boardline adorable as Eve.

There’s even a bit part for future Captain Malcom Reynolds, Nathan Fillion as Eve’s shallow ex boyfriend.

There’s no denying it’s a bit by the numbers, the ending can be seen a mile off but its set up is unique and the old-fashioned vibe is heartwarmingly charming. It’s a great little movie that never fails to make me smile, go on give it a try this Sunday.