The Honorary Consul (film)

The Honorary Consul
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	John Mackenzie
Produced by	Norma Heyman
Screenplay by	Christopher Hampton
Based on	The Honorary Consul by Graham Greene
Starring	Michael Caine Richard Gere Bob Hoskins Elpidia Carrillo
Music by	Paul McCartney
Cinematography	Phil Méheux
Edited by	Stuart Baird
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release dates	30 September 1983 (1983-09-30)
Running time	103 minutes
Country	United Kingdom Mexico
Language	English
Budget	$8 million
Box office	$5,997,566

The Honorary Consul, also known as Beyond the Limit, is a 1983 British-Mexican drama film directed by John Mackenzie and starring Michael Caine, Richard Gere, Bob Hoskins and Elpidia Carrillo. It is based on the novel The Honorary Consul by Graham Greene. The title is a reference to the diplomatic position known as an honorary consul.

Synopsis

Set in a small politically unstable Latin American country, the story follows the half English and half Latino Dr. Eduardo Plarr (Richard Gere), who left his home to find a better life. Along the way he meets an array of people, including British Consul Charley Fortnum (Michael Caine), a representative in Latin America who is trying to keep a Revolution from occurring, and is also a remorseful alcoholic. Another person the doctor meets is Clara (Elpidia Carrillo), whom he immediately desires, but there is a problem: Clara is Charley's wife.

Cast

• Michael Caine as Charley Fortnum, Consul
• Richard Gere as Eduardo Plarr
• Bob Hoskins as Colonel Perez
• Elpidia Carrillo as Clara Fortnum
• Joaquim de Almeida as Leon
• A Martinez as Aquino
• Geoffrey Palmer as British Ambassador

Production

The film was produced by Norma Heyman, marking the first time that a British woman entirely produced an independent feature film in history.

The movie was filmed on location in Veracruz, Mexico, Mexico City, and at the Shepperton Studios in Surrey, England.

Response

The film did good business in Europe, and particularly in England as it was a British production. In the United States, it only earned about $6 million in box office receipts and was not well received by critics.

External links

• The Honorary Consul at IMDb