Loch Ness

Plot synopsis:
Opening on a pub near Loch Ness, a scientist named Dr. Abernathy steps out for some air. Standing on the shore of the loch, he sees something rise from the water. Astonished, he takes a single photograph before slipping and falling on the rocks, which kills him.
A short time later in Los Angeles, disgruntled freshman college tutor, Dr. John Dempsey (Ted Danson), is obliged to journey to Scotland to replace Dr. Abernathy, who was searching for the Loch Ness Monster. Dempsey is reluctant to do so, as he ruined his respected zoology career after a fruitless three year search for the Sasquatch and is now considered a joke amongst his colleagues. The only reason he agrees to go is because he is broke and cannot pay alimony to his former wife, Caroline, after whom he named a newly discovered species of wasp.
Dempsey travels to Scotland and reluctantly begins on a cryptozoology mission along with Adrian Foote (James Frain), former assistant to Dr. Abernathy and an eager young Scottish man who fanatically believes in the existence of the creature. Dempsey repeatedly claims there is no mystery and that the monster is just a hoax created by the locals of Loch Ness to support their economy. John books into a small inn and meets his grouchy landlady, Laura McFetridge (Joely Richardson) and her nine-year-old daughter, Isabel, who quickly grows close to John.
John quickly finds himself in hot water with the locals, in particular one named Andy McLean (Nick Brimble), who sees Dempsey as a rival for the affections of Laura. The water bailiff, (Ian Holm), guardian and protector of Loch Ness, does all he can to ensure that Dempsey fails in his search and leaves the loch empty-handed. After the sonar equipment is sabotaged by the locals, Dempsey confronts the water bailiff, who insists that the mystery of Loch Ness will never be destroyed. Dempsey challenges him to "come out and watch him". After scanning the entire loch and finding nothing, Dempsey declares it is the end of the Loch Ness monster, leaving Adrian crushed, but the subsequent argument between them ends on a slightly reconciliatory note when Dempsey tells Adrian that, despite his scepticism, he did want to find the monster.
Throughout the film, Laura overcomes her initial dislike of Dempsey and they quickly grow attracted to each other. Isabel possesses a second sight and is able to foretell certain things, such as her mother's growing affection for Dempsey. The day before Dempsey's departure from Loch Ness, Adrian brings him the remainder of Dr. Abernathy's possessions, including his camera. The next morning Adrian is awakened by Dempsey, who says they are going back out for another sweep of the loch. He reveals that after developing the pictures on Abernathy's camera, the last picture on the roll shows a large, rhomboid shaped flipper submerging into the water. After tracking a 40 ft object chasing a school of salmon, it collides with the boat, sinking it and sending Dempsey and Adrian into the water. Dempsey nearly drowns but somehow surfaces after a large dark object is seen moving in the water behind his quickly sinking body. After returning to the inn, he is ecstatic, claiming to have seen the creature while under the water. After Dempsey is beaten up by Andy McLean for "moving in on his woman", Isabel makes him a get well card which features a drawing of what she calls a "water kelpie." Dempsey realises that Isabel, too, has seen the monster, as her drawing of the creature's fins are identical to the picture taken by Abernathy. After Dempsey promises to buy her the red bicycle that she has always wanted, Isabel agrees to show him the monster.
Later that day, Isabel leads Dempsey to an underground cavern beneath Urquhart Castle and warns him not to use lights as it scares the creatures. After a startling encounter with some sea otters, Dempsey prepares to leave, humiliated. Suddenly a plesiosaur rises from the water and Isabel is shown to know it very well, even being able to communicate with it through a series of whistle-like calls. Responding to the calls, a second creature appears, the two animals apparently being mates. While in an astonished euphoria, Dempsey ignores Isabel's warnings and takes a photograph, the flash alarming the creatures, causing them to dive back into the water and cause havoc. Isabel falls into the water and almost drowns and Dempsey is saved by the furious Water Bailiff.
Dempsey develops the photographs and faces Laura's wrath about him using Isabel and nearly getting her killed. Laura refuses to have anything to do with Dempsey or his discovery of the monster, despite his claims that when he reveals the existence of the creatures, Laura's business will boom as people from all over the world come to the loch to see the monsters. Laura evicts John and Isabel is deeply hurt that Dempsey used her in such a way. Upset, but not about to give up his chance at vindication, he leaves for London to attend a press conference at the Natural History Museum where he plans to reveal the photos of the monsters to the world.
The water bailiff follows him on the train, imploring him not to reveal the truth of Loch Ness. Dempsey insists that exposure will be best for the creatures, claiming that science will be able to care for the creatures professionally. Scornful, the water bailiff points out the irony in that it was not science that helped his "discovery", but a little girl. He also reminds Dempsey of the harm done to the planet because of science and that these creatures have survived unaided since before the ice age.
At the conference, Dempsey is unable to go through with it and replaces the real photos with Isabel's drawing of the "kelpie", causing an uproar while he discreetly leaves. On the way out, he tells a baffled Adrian that he had the pictures made by computer before he ever came to Scotland. Adrian, knowing the truth, understandingly plays along. Meanwhile, on a bus headed back to Loch Ness, the water bailiff discovers the pictures inside his suitcase and is moved almost to the point of tears. Dempsey returns to the inn and reunites with Laura, along with the red bicycle he promised Isabel. In Loch Ness, the plesiosaur pair is seen swimming underwater with a baby alongside.

Tags: paranormal, romantic, flashback

Review:
I think TRAINSPOTTING might be more your line.I'd go further than saying that Ted Danson was "good" in this - it is by far his best movie (with the possible exception of GETTING EVEN WITH DAD).
As discredited, financially strapped and harrassed Dr Dempsey, Danson is bundled off to Loch Ness to disprove Nessie's existence.
Not only does he fail in his task, but he finds something even yet more unlikely - the unconditional love of a little girl and her innkeeper mother played with feisty gusto by Joley Richardson.
I would defy any true romantic to withhold a tear at the end of this movie...easily one of the most touching films of all time.
Proof if such be needed that one can make a beautiful family movie with not a single swear word or offensive scene.
Ted Danson does a wonderful acting job outside of "Cheers" and the special effects are magical.
the whole production has a rather Disney feel to it as it makes you believe in magic and takes a different realistic view of one of the world's biggest mysteries.
The cast are brilliant, especially Joley Richardson and Kirsty Graham as mother and daughter - although it is a little unfair to imply that these two alone make the film watchable; others (Ted Danson, Ian Holm, & James Frain) really do help to make this a great film.
The special effects are limited which allows for the storyline to show through and, even though the end is a little predictable, It's still good to watch right through to Rod Stewart's brilliant closing song.
It stars Ted Danson, Joely Richardson, Ian Holm, Kirsty Graham and James Frain.
In the last chance saloon, he's packed off by his superiors to debunk the Loch Ness Monster legend, where hardly enthused anyway, he finds a small community unwelcome to his being there.
After finally booking into a small inn run by single mother Laura McFetridge (Richardson) Dempsey forms a warm relationship with Laura's nine year old daughter, Isabel (Graham), who just may hold the key to the mystery of Loch Ness.Once it was made available for viewing it struggled to gain any significant support, both by critics and film fans alike.
Caught in the 1990's creature feature slipstream created by Jurassic Park, hopes were high for a very different type of Loch Ness Monster movie.
Henderson's film is a human interest story first and foremost, one that has the Loch Ness Monster as its backdrop.
Solve the Loch Ness Monster mystery.
Helps, too, if you kind of want to believe in the fantastical, like a bit of whimsy with your film supper.An insult often used to beat it with is that it copies Local Hero's template.
In fact Loch Ness is more family friendly, adult enough for the discerning grown up, whilst beguiling the kiddies too.
Fusco's script is also witty, with much fun mined from Danson's fish out of water portrayal as he finds himself at odds with everyone except the Nessie keen assistant played with wide eyed energy by Frain.
The rest of the cast are roundly great as well, Danson (affable supreme), Richardson (quality Scottish accent), Holm (grumpy curmudgeon) and Graham (one of the most natural and unfussy child performances ever), lead the way.
While good secondary support comes from a barking mad Keith Allen and Nick Brimble as the self appointed love rival for Laura's attentions.Bolstering the film is a majestic score from Jones, with the expected Celtic harmonies neatly sitting along side the more brassy and keyboard thrusts as the narrative hits its peaks.
He does, however, know how to light a pretty face, the beautiful Richardson benefiting greatly here.With a big human heart and awash with family friendly mysticism, Loch Ness is a lovely picture.
(But how else was I to get your attention?)Ted Danson, who still seems just like Sam Malone from "Cheers" - only with a bad hair day - is quite winning in the lead role of this film.
He plays a rather cantankerous, and somewhat discredited, American anthropologist who is sent to Scotland to disprove the existence of the "Loch Ness Monster".
He doesn't (at first, anyway) mix well with the local Scottish residents living near Loch Ness.
Her influence on him, along with that of the water bailiff, played by Ian Holm, profoundly change him towards the end of the film.
It is a very enchanting movie that is worth watching.
(While you're at it, rent another thoroughly enjoyable movie which was also filmed in Scotland, "Local Hero" (1983)).Watch.
I also love the idea that in some little corner of the boondooks you can stumble on a Scottish fair maiden whose twinkle in the eye can steal your heart.
A young James Frain shows outstanding appeal and promise as a powerhouse actor in his character as an idealistic and enthusiastic sidekick to Ted Dansen's beast hunter, a fun character to watch.The story is paced and told with an experienced hand; it provided a very pleasant getaway on a winter's afternoon, transporting the viewer to the famous Loch Ness region of Scotland.
I think the photography could have been more painterly and mystical, but you get a good eyeful of the dramatic Scottish landscape.The music score is a nice selection of Scottish influenced themes, with the soaring "Rhythm Of My Heart" by Rod Stewart as the final credits roll.So if you're a romantic, you should thoroughly enjoy this movie.
Look for Loch, its a nice family film with a touch of romance.
Dempsey (Ted Danson) is a sort of photojournalist of the weird happenings on planet earth.
First, this film has a terrific setting, the beautiful country around Loch Ness.
If you always wishes to go to Scotland but, have little money and big flying anxieties, you will be enchanted with the view.
Then, the main actors are quite good, with Danson doing a variation of his smug humor and Richardson looking great and sporting a fine accent.
In short, look for Loch, you fans of romance and family-friendly features.
the acting at first i thought seemed a little dry but really builds up character throughout the movie, now Ted Danson adds a great actor to the cast and the little girl really brightens up the movie, all in all not a bad flick for an afternoon movie.7 out of 10..
A discredited American scientist (played by Ted Danson) is appointed the task of proving once and for all whether there is an unknown species in Loch Ness.This is a fine family film which manages to be warm and sincere without losing sight of its main theme.
If you are looking for a creature feature, if you are looking for a monster movie, if you are looking for the cheap thrills that are stereotypically imagined coming from a movie with a title such as "Loch Ness", you are not going to get any of these.
As an adult, I enjoyed this delightful, if somewhat flimsy, little independent film."Loch Ness" is, to a certain extent, not even about the Loch Ness monster.
The movie stars Ted Danson as a discredited American scientist who has come to Scotland to not find the monster, but, to quote his boss "use the latest technology to prove it's a hoax." Danson himself doesn't believe in the monster even though he's made a name for himself chasing Sasquatch in the Pacific Northwest.
While in Scotland, he picks up a research assistant (James Frain) and forms a friendship with the local pub owner (Joely Richardson) and her ubiquitous daughter (Kirsty Graham) who seems to know a little more about the loch than anybody else does."Loch Ness" is, all in all, a family movie.
The movie really boasts the question many people have: does the monster even exist?
If it were a serious monster movie, we'd know right from the start.
But it keeps that question going and going and for that reason, I enjoyed it, for it wasn't just another monster tale, because I personally have seen that movie over and over again, such as in another Loch Ness monster tale called "Beyond Loch Ness" in which the creature was revealed to be real after only five minutes of speculation.Performances are quite good.
James Frain is also good, although he does at times overplay his character, but it is refreshing to see the mentor-student relationship between him and Danson whereas it typically would be a tag team.
I also liked Joely Richardson and was especially fond of Kirsty Graham as the mysterious little girl with a secret.
And the screen is also aided by the presence of veteran actor Ian Holm as a water bailiff who always seems to watching Danson with a suspicious eye."Loch Ness" doesn't reach its full potential because of a somewhat flimsy screenplay, with some scenes ending before we hardly even realize they've started.
Some of the dialogue is rather poor, some supporting characters just time-wasters, and such, but all in all, it's a simply fine family movie although it will not ring the bells for everybody.
I liked it for its sense of wonder and mystery about the loch where this creature may/may not exist (the movie plays that note), I liked it for the performances, I liked it for the beautiful, ear-warming music score by Trevor Jones, the crystal clear cinematography by Clive Tickner, the unique and seldom-explored nature of the ending, and just an overall enthusiastic tone that director John Henderson instilled into this delightful, if flawed family movie..
This movie can be enjoyed as long as you are prepared to accept the plot for what it is - A far fetched romantic tale to well the tears in your eyes and make you think "Awww...
isn't that sweet" The plot as far as the actual "Beastie of the Loch" is far-fetched enough without stretching the bounds or reality with the love story.Being far-fetched does not, however, mean that this movie is not worth watching.
I actually quite enjoyed it, and was able to watch along with a young family without having to cringe at foul language or blatant sex scenes.
Take this movie for what it is - family entertainment.
The kids will live the monster storyline and the special effects, the romantic among us will sniffle at the course of true love, and the others will probably find this to be a fairly average, fairly entertaining way to spend 90 minutes or so of your time..
Ted Danson plays a disillusioned cryptozoologist who is sent on assignment to Loch Ness, Scotland, to disprove the mythical creature's existence.
With the assistance of a clairvoyant girl (Kirsty Graham) he discovers life-changing things.If you're remotely interested in cryptozoology "Loch Ness" is a must.
Despite the fact that the story is predictable, this is a very well-made film.
Although it was primed for theatrical release, and released as such in Europe, in America it was ultimately decided to release it on network TV in September, 1996.The film has a lot going for it: Danson is perfect as the jaded scientist; Joely Richardson is Beautiful; the little clairvoyant girl is cute and spiritual; the locations are continuously breathtaking; the people are likable and the story touches on important themes of which most can relate.
If you're in the mood for a slasher/monster horror flick with lots of gore, this isn't the film to see.
However, if you care to explore some of life's most vital questions, look no further.Danson's character, Dr. Dempsey, has given up on love in the aftermath of a divorce; he's also given up on his life's work, his dream.
Note his powerful statement to his Scottish partner at Loch Ness:"I'm a joke.
If I nailed a dinosaur in Loch Ness I would be vindicated a thousand times over.
That's just a wish list to make us feel like there's something more to life than the $#*% we got stuck with."As you can see, the film is more than just cutesy family fare or mindless monster mayhem.
We may not be looking for the Loch Ness monster, but we all have dreams; we all hope to discover love in some manner; we all hope to find meaning in life.
Unless, of course, we've given up, like Dempsey in the story.
And (2.) that there's an intelligent design to the universe and, although it's somehow "fallen" (severely messed up), there IS meaning, love, hope and purpose, even if we are presently unable to fully comprehend it.The film addresses the clash of these two opposing views.
Dempsey says seeing is believing, but the little girl insists that believing in unseen reality is more important than physically seeing, if you know what I mean.THE FILM RUNS 1 hour, 41 minutes.
Just a great family fun film..
Lock Ness had great acting, scenery, music and story.
It's hard to believe the little girl who played the daughter hasn't been in more movies since.
I'm not being a snob or saying I hate kids films or fantasy, I love that stuff, but nothing happens and the love story is a bit lame and empty.
I'm sure stories of things like the Loch Ness interest most people, so I was looking for it to be more about this, you'd think so from the name, but I was just let down.
You'd think the whole point of spending so much money on a film called Loch Ness would be to concentrate on this..
A one-of-the-usual family adventure films, where a great secret is explored and solved, only to be hashed "for the greater good".
As I said earlier, if that was always the case we would be still living in caves.What's so wrong with a film showing a great mystery solved and the consequences of this discovery?
Ted Danson and the spectacular Scottish scenery elevate a rather trite and predictable yarn.The romance angle is a bit forced, the motives of the locals are a bit shallow and the peripheral characters never really leap out of the screen.
This is nearly a delightful film...minus the foul language and 1 verbal reference to premarital sex, this would be a great movie.
Nice movie...I would watch again or buy..
The rest of the 'actors\actresses', director and writer, don't give you your day jobs.Worth watching for humour value only.Ben. worst film ever!!!!.
the love story is so hammy and acting is very bad, well what do you expect from ted danson....
There is not enough of the "Loch Ness monsters" to make this picture worth viewing.
Ted Danson was extremely annoying as the "romantic lead." I enjoyed Ian Holm as the "Water Bailiff" and wished there was more footage of Nick Brimble as "Andy McLean."  He was the high point of an otherwise dull, improbable picture with a strange, mish-mash ending that made no sense whatever..
I've been studying documentary filmmakking in school now for 7 years and LOCH NESS is quite possibly the greatest documentary I've seen since "Hoop Dreams." I will say that the doctor in this doc looks surprisingly like that of Ted Dansen from CHEERS.
And by the way "reviewers," the Loch Ness monster's name is Nessie not Joely.
A family film on a Scottish Legend.....
Its hard to picture Ted Danson being anyone but Sam from Cheers, but he delivers a good enough performance as the scientist who is lost, a career ruined by his thirst to find the impossible.
Joely Richardson's role as the mother is heart warming she plays her role with care, while Kirsty, the young Isabel.The film starts off with the death of a professor whose aim is to find the Loch Ness monster, so another is sent.
A man whose accomplishments are great, yet shrouded by his obsession to find the unexplained, Dempsey, who is lost finds more then he bargained for in Scotland.One thing I liked was the scenery, it showed the highlands and beautiful shots of the water; which gives a sense of beauty, mystery and calm.
But the one thing that ruins the film is the uncovering of the Loch Ness monster...I think they should have never shown the creature, it keeps a little more mystery..
Having always been in love with the idea of there actually being a monster in Loch Ness, I thoroughly enjoyed this film.
Although to this day, i'm unsure whether or not the film makers should have actually shown the monster because the film is good without it!
It is a warm and funny story which centres around Ted Danson who plays a character called Dr Dempsey who is sent from America to prove the monster doesn't exist.
Whilst he stays on the shore of Loch Ness, he gradually falls in love with the place and the attractive owner (Joely Richardson) of the inn he stays in.
The little girl who plays Isabel has some very funny lines and is really cute in the things she says.
Having recently finally been to Loch Ness myself, it is worth watching to see all the fabulous scenery again also!.
The story of the Loch Ness Monster has been told for many years, and this time with a different angle.The movie itself has a slow, laid back feel throughout, and yet has has some action sequences as well.
I won't explain that, other than say "monster" doesn't really describe the legend.And that becomes the point of the movie in the end...some legends deserve to "live on" as legends....
I'd never heard of it before it popped up on TV yesterday and I figured I liked Ted Danson in Cheers and Joly Richardson isn't exactly chopped liver so I'll watch the first reel and see what happens.
Okay, forget looking for the monster if I thought there was a lady as lovely Joley Richardson walking around loose in a small Scottish village I'd light out for bonnie Scotland in jig-time.