The Honorary Consul (film)


The Honorary Consul, also known as Beyond the Limit in North America, 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 1973 novel The Honorary Consul by Graham Greene.

Synopsis

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

Cast

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 Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz|Veracruz, Mexico and Mexico City, and at the Shepperton Studios in Surrey, England.

Response

The film was successful in Europe, and particularly in the UK 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.