Water (1985)

A sleepy island in the Caribbean under British rule becomes a hotbed of political and economic chaos when a unique and flavorful mineral water is discovered underneath the surface of the island. Suddenly an island no one cared about is thrust into the world view. Directed by Dick Clement (A SEVERED HEAD), this satire on colonialism, capitalism and revolutions is a mixed bag. Much of it is unfunny and there are a couple of awful performances. Specifically, Brenda Vaccaro as a hotheaded and oversexed Guatemalan wife whose accent is godawful and the irritating Billy Connolly as a biracial revolutionary (his Scottish accent is never explained). But the film's aims are well intentioned and the movie slowly (very slowly) wins you over in spite of all its major shortcomings. The gorgeous island of St. Lucia is lovingly photographed by Douglas Slocombe (THE LION IN WINTER). The large ensemble cast includes Michael Caine as the island's governor, Valerie Perrine, George Harrison, Jimmie Walker, Leonard Rossiter, Dick Shawn, Fred Gwynne, Ringo Starr, Dennis Dugan, Eric Clapton and Maureen Lipman as Margaret Thatcher.