Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- warm
- sincere
- date night
- lazy sunday
What critics said
Critics generally viewed the film favorably as a scenic, character-driven romance with comedic touches rather than a conventional John Belushi vehicle.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Ernie and Nell initially spar over journalism, urban habits, and wilderness values before developing affection.
A tough Chicago reporter is relocated to Colorado and clashes with an eagle researcher devoted to mountain life.
Ernie's aggressive newspaper career and Nell's independent scientific vocation repeatedly put their outlooks at odds.
The Colorado setting, camping, wildlife research, and eagle habitat contrast with Ernie's dangerous Chicago assignments.
Films like Continental Divide, and why
The Sure Thing
shared romantic comedy structure, opposites-attract chemistry, and fish-out-of-water contrast between urban and rural worlds
It Happened One Night
shared witty romance, culture clash, and protagonists whose attraction develops through adversarial banter
Starting Over
shared workplace-driven romance, mismatched personalities, and warm early-1980s comedic drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Michael Apted
- Release Date
- 1981-09-18
- Runtime
- 103 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (131)
Cast
- John Belushi
- Blair Brown
- Allen Garfield
- Carlin Glynn
- Tony Ganios
- Val Avery
- Liam Russell
- Everett Smith
- Bill Henderson
- Bruce Jarchow
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Continental Divide about?
- A hard-charging Chicago columnist finds unexpected love with a fiercely independent eagle researcher after danger sends him from the city to the Rocky Mountains.
- What is Continental Divide like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Continental Divide as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Continental Divide violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Continental Divide as mild.
- What did critics think of Continental Divide?
- Critics generally viewed the film favorably as a scenic, character-driven romance with comedic touches rather than a conventional John Belushi vehicle.
- Which films are like Continental Divide?
- Films with a similar feel include The Sure Thing, It Happened One Night, and Starting Over.
- How long is Continental Divide?
- Continental Divide runs 103 minutes.
- Where can I watch Continental Divide?
- In United States, Continental Divide is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
