A Flash of Green

A Flash of Green is a compelling drama film from 1984 featuring a powerful performance by Ed Harris in the lead role. Also starring are Blair Brown and Richard Jordan, each putting up persuasive performances in this meticulously crafted narrative. This film exists at the intersection of personal morality and the broader societal context, offering viewers a profound and thought-provoking experience.

Directed by Victor Nunez, the film is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by John D. MacDonald. A Flash of Green is set in the small coastal town of Palm City, Florida. Everything about this town seems unassuming and ordinary, until land developers set their sights on turning a cherished local wildlife preserve into a profit-making commercial resort. This plot to upset the natural balance of things is the primary conflict agitating the calm waters of this small town story.

At the heart of the narrative is Ed Harris, playing the town newspaper reporter Jimmy Wing, an ordinary man grappling with personal tragedy. Wing becomes an unwitting player in this corporate scheme as his best friend, Elmo Bliss, played by Richard Jordan, presents him with an offer too lucrative to turn down. Bliss, a county commissioner with ulterior motives, convinces Wing to join him as an inside informant so they can exploit and profit from the impending land development deal.

Blair Brown, conveying both charm and depth, plays Kat Hubble, an environmentalist passionately resisting the redevelopment plans for the wildlife preserve. Hubble's character serves as the bridge between the machinations of the power players and the everyday people of Palm City. Her fight against corporate interest holds a mirror to the ongoing struggles between conservation and commercial development in real-world communities.

Driven by an intricate plot and well-defined characters, A Flash of Green explores themes of corruption, environmental conservation, ethical dilemmas, and the intoxicating allure of ambition. Throughout the film, conclusions are not handed readily to the viewers. Instead, the audience is gently nudged to reflect upon and grapple with the greys of moral ambiguity, thus going beyond the binary of right and wrong.

The director, Victor Nunez, employs a measured pace and a naturalistic filmmaking style to mirror the unhurried rhythms of life in a small town, providing an authentic backdrop to the story. Nunez skillfully captures the quiet desperation of life in a town like Palm City, where everyday people are thrust into the ruthless world of politics, betrayal, and corporate greed, and where clumsiness and quandaries of personal choice often have larger societal implications.

Harris delivers a tour de force performance as Jimmy Wing, bringing to life the conflicts and loyalties of an everyman. His portrayal is both persuasive and empathetic, making it easy to connect with his character's struggles. Blair Brown, as the tenacious environmentalist Hubble, channels the spirit of resistance, embodying her character's unyielding determination with conviction. Richard Jordan, playing Elmo Bliss, imbues his role with a charm that veils his real intentions, subtly underlining the insidious nature of power.

A Flash of Green boasts of a mood-evoking score and understated cinematography that complements its narrative. The music, sparse and often melancholic, echoes the tensions and tranquility of small-town life, while the camera paints a vivid picture of Florida's natural beauty, underlining what is at stake in the story.

Above all, A Flash of Green is a poignant tale of ordinary people navigating an uncertain world filled with moral pitfalls and personal compromises. It draws entire landscapes of human nature, not just in its portrayal of the main characters, but also in its depiction of the tight-knit community whose shared sense of place and purpose is tested by unsettling change.

Whether you're a fan of intense drama or looking for thought-provoking cinema, A Flash of Green promises a cinematic journey that's as rewarding as it is challenging. This 1984 film is not merely a drama but a meditation on personal ethics, environmental conservation, and the power dynamics of small-town politics. It makes for a fascinating watch, leaving an impact long after the end credits roll.