Under The Volcano (1984)

Set in 1938 Mexico on the Day Of The Dead festivities, an alcoholic British ex-counsel (Albert Finney) drinks himself to death. Perhaps not in the literal sense but his wanton self destructiveness certainly is a factor. Based on the critically admired Malcolm Lowry novel (Time magazine called it one of the 100 greatest novels in the English language) published in 1947, it's the kind of novel that defies a successful transition to film. What makes the novel great is its descriptive analytical prose which is impossible to duplicate for the screen. The director John Huston and his screenwriter Guy Gallo (his only filmed screenplay) have done an adequate adaptation but it's too literal and at times feels like just another movie about a drunk like LOST WEEKEND or DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES. That being said, there are compensations such as Finney's fine performance which though too studied at times brings a necessary gravitas to the film. Gabriel Figueroa (Bunuel's EXTERMINATING ANGEL) did the clean cinematography and the excellent underscore is by Alex North. With Jacqueline Bisset as Finney's ex-wife, Anthony Andrews as his half brother, Katy Jurado, James Villiers and Emilio Fernandez.