The Jewel of the Nile (1985)

Romancing the Stone was great, funny, original etc. etc. Yes. It was made in S. America. Picturesque, oddball, eccentric... Unfortunately Jewel of the Nile does not follow this. Not entirely its fault. For Americans esp. South America is a kind of picturesque Spanish Latino backwater for the US. A few drug barons, corrupt governments but otherwise exotic and enjoyable. The Middle East is another kettle of fish altogether. Ebert the critic wrote something about the charm of 'Romancing' missing from 'Jewel'. He's probably right. It does feel a bit as if the actors are struggling to recreate the chemistry and humour/quirkiness of 'Romancing', and not quite managing. Chemistry either is present or it isn't. Also it's the ME, the Arabs. US relations with and attitudes to the ME are entirely different from those with LA. So there is a kind of 'tenseness' about this film. It can't reproduce the enjoyable quirkiness of 'Romancing'. It's just too 'serious' being in the ME. Bad choice of culture for 'fun and quirky'. Anywhere else would have been better. This film was made in '85, with all the conflicts out there (Iran 79/80, Lebanon 82-2000, Iran/Iraq 80-90). Not an area for 'fun film making'. So they try to make fun of the Arabs and Islam. Doesn't really work. Americans tend to see the ME as a threat (Islam, Israel), or as a necessity, (Gulf oil, Iran oil, Iraq oil). Again not much fun... So bad choice of culture area for 'fun' 'quirky' etc. Now even less than then... Acting 'by numbers' for the cast who didn't really seem to be enjoying themselves as much as they were in 'Romancing'. While it can be said that the 2nd half is 'lighter and more amusing' than the 1st half, the fact that the viewer has to get through 40 mins of 'acting by numbers' to get to anything even vaguely amusing or entertaining says much about the sorry way the film was put together. I give it a 3 'for effort' but really a 2 for'enjoyability and chemistry'. Regretfully. There are unfortunately too few films then or now that have produced the 'innocent quirky fun' of Romancing. Maybe the Raiders trilogy came closest. Why do film makers and TV producer always start 'bright and breezy' then go down into 'dark'? (MD + KT + DdV in 'Wars of the Roses'...?). Great shame really...

Romancing the Stone closed with romantic adventure novelist Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner) finding love and excitement of her own in the company of the roguish Jack Colton (Michael Douglas), the pair disappearing over the horizon on Jack's new yacht Angelina. It was the perfect ending to a fun little film.This ill-judged sequel sets off on the wrong foot almost immediately, its adventurous couple falling out after a mere six months together on the high seas, with Joan yearning to return to the drudgery of New York; having ruined the magic for fans of the original, the film then proceeds to stumble awkwardly from one lacklustre set-piece to another until the forgettable finale, screenwriters Mark Rosenthal and Lawrence Konner never once matching the wit, sparkle and originality of Diane Thomas' script for Romancing the Stone (Thomas was unavailable for the sequel, and sadly died in a car accident soon after).With seemingly no understanding of the dynamic between Jack and Joan, and even less idea of what makes for a rousing adventure, Rosenthal and Konner deliver a stodgy mess of mishaps for the couple, whilst finding a weak excuse for the return of Danny De Vito as Ralph. Worse still, Jack's quest for the Jewel of the Nile turns out to be a damp squib when the presumed precious stone is revealed to be a person, an irritating little holy man who convinces our hero and heroine to help him prevent a power hungry tyrant from seizing control of the surrounding lands.If Robert Zemeckis had returned for directorial duties, this might have been bearable, but Lewis Teague's workmanlike direction fails to inject any life into proceedings: the film's largest action scene, which sees Jack in control of an F-16 fighter jet, fails to get the adrenaline pumping, and goes on for far too long. A nasty mid-'80s pop soundtrack only adds to the annoyance.As '80s sequels go, this is down there with Ghostbusters 2 and Return of the Living Dead 2 as one of the most disappointing.

In the sequel to 'Romancing the Stone', romance writer Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner) and Jack Colton (Michael Douglas) are sailing their yacht in the south of France. Joan is frustrated with her writing and sick of their nomadic life after six months on the boat. Joan accepts Sheik Omar Kalifa's offer to go down the Nile and write his biography. Joan and Jack agree to go their separate ways. Ralph (Danny DeVito) seeks revenge against Jack for getting left in prison. They are met by Tarak who has just tried to assassinate Omar. He tells them that Omar is a ruthless dictator who has stolen the Jewel of the Nile. Omar blows up Jack's boat and Tarak warns him that Joan is in danger.I love 'Romancing the Stone'. This sequel has lost the original's charm. It's stupider and less funny. The joy is mostly gone. Jack and Joan start off on a sour note and is mostly separated in the first half. There are flashes of the old chemistry for the couple. However, even that isn't enough to make this a good movie. It's a sad sequel to a great 80s movie.

The Jewel Of The Nile is an enjoyable action romance comedy and a good sequel to the successful Romancing The Stone. Now a couple adventurer Jack Colton(Michale Douglas)and Joan Wilder(Kathleen Turner)are sailing around the world on Jacks yacht.Although still very close their relationship has hit a bit of rocky patch and Joan accepts an invitation to write the biography of a ruthless wealthy man who lives like a prince.Well before long she witnesses his brutality and Jack has to come and rescue her.Although not as good as the first one this is still a great deal of fun and is well made.Danny Devito returns as well as the con man intent on getting revenge on Jack after the exploits in Romancing The Stone. A good one to watch on a rainy day or if you need cheering up.