REVIEW: CAPTAIN PHILLIPS
Like one of last year's strongest movies, "Argo," "Captain Phillps" for sure takes some liberties to its story, including the titular character's heroic actions. The real crew of the hijacked Maersk Alabama and comparisons between this film and the real Phillips' autobiographical account of the whole tale have made that clear. While it is important to realize these distinctions, it's my job to review what's been presented before me. And wow, what a picture to be presented before me.
Told in a similar strategy used to tell his severely more bleak "United 93," Paul Greengrass shows the relationships between the attacker and the victim. Instead of focusing simply on Hanks' character, an easy tactic since he's the biggest living actor, he also shines light on the disparity of the Somalian community that houses many, including four angry, confused and money-starved soon-to-be pirates. An additional four are brought along as well, but a clever trick Phillips employs scares them off, leaving room for only the bravest to come aboard the Maersk Alabama ransom.
The big reason I thoroughly enjoyed the movie was its ending, which I'll put down below in a clearly marked spoiler section so no one can yell at me. But besides that, Greengrass' usually shaky camerawork is employed beautifully here, they are all on sea after all. Despite Hanks' presence, the film feels very realistic, as it was a wise casting choice to cast virtual unknowns, though Catherine Keener pops up for a hefty two minutes as the captain's wife. While this may not be so in real life, you can tell the crew has respect for Phillips, calling him "Cap" at all times, even when he has to lay down the law about how they need to defend themselves against the inevitable piracy, they still look up to him as the leader.
Speaking of inevitability, it was only a matter of time before this real life story shot to screen, and I smelled Oscar buzz on this project before I even saw a trailer. The acting is so perfect and natural in this picture I had to look up interviews with Barkhad Abdi, who plays the leading pirate Muse (Moo-say). Muse speaks the best English of the group, which consists of hotheaded Najee (Faysal Ahmed), younger, more sensitive Bilal (Barkhad Abdiraham) and...Elmi (Mahat M. Ali). Elmi's sort of that middle child that gets passed over when it comes to character personality, but he plays a rather crucial part later in the story. Married with Hanks anchoring performance, the ultra-tense final act (similar to "Argo" as well) and a script filled with Navy jargon that's actually understandable, "Captain Phillips" shines as a union of Hollywood tale and indie movie character examination, and is one of the year's best films. We haven't even gotten to full blown Oscar season yet!
Rating: 3.5/4 stars
SPOILER SECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What gripped me most about this film that pushed it up to near four star territory was in fact its conclusion. After the SEALs successfully execute the remaining three pirates, Phillips goes into a petrified state. When have you ever seen Schwarzenegger or Stallone go into shock? Never. That's what separated this Hollywood film from the others; this may not have been what happened to the real guy, but it was completely effective for the story. After we see Phillips rescued from the ship, we see the men on the sub detain Muse, and they let him know the captain is alive and is three "friends" are dead. The look of utter defeat displayed on Abdi's face speaks volumes. I felt genuinely bad for him, and here's why:
In a black and white, clear cut movie, the pirates would have been ruthless antagonists. That's it. That would be their personalities. But Greengrass shows you these aren't evil men; they're caught up in evil circumstance, as holding oncoming ships ransom is the only way to further themselves in their community. Muse and the other pirates are hostages to their circumstances like the Alabama crew was hostage to them. It's the dreadful cycle that can't be broken, and it's sadly eye-opening.
Told in a similar strategy used to tell his severely more bleak "United 93," Paul Greengrass shows the relationships between the attacker and the victim. Instead of focusing simply on Hanks' character, an easy tactic since he's the biggest living actor, he also shines light on the disparity of the Somalian community that houses many, including four angry, confused and money-starved soon-to-be pirates. An additional four are brought along as well, but a clever trick Phillips employs scares them off, leaving room for only the bravest to come aboard the Maersk Alabama ransom.
The big reason I thoroughly enjoyed the movie was its ending, which I'll put down below in a clearly marked spoiler section so no one can yell at me. But besides that, Greengrass' usually shaky camerawork is employed beautifully here, they are all on sea after all. Despite Hanks' presence, the film feels very realistic, as it was a wise casting choice to cast virtual unknowns, though Catherine Keener pops up for a hefty two minutes as the captain's wife. While this may not be so in real life, you can tell the crew has respect for Phillips, calling him "Cap" at all times, even when he has to lay down the law about how they need to defend themselves against the inevitable piracy, they still look up to him as the leader. Speaking of inevitability, it was only a matter of time before this real life story shot to screen, and I smelled Oscar buzz on this project before I even saw a trailer. The acting is so perfect and natural in this picture I had to look up interviews with Barkhad Abdi, who plays the leading pirate Muse (Moo-say). Muse speaks the best English of the group, which consists of hotheaded Najee (Faysal Ahmed), younger, more sensitive Bilal (Barkhad Abdiraham) and...Elmi (Mahat M. Ali). Elmi's sort of that middle child that gets passed over when it comes to character personality, but he plays a rather crucial part later in the story. Married with Hanks anchoring performance, the ultra-tense final act (similar to "Argo" as well) and a script filled with Navy jargon that's actually understandable, "Captain Phillips" shines as a union of Hollywood tale and indie movie character examination, and is one of the year's best films. We haven't even gotten to full blown Oscar season yet!
Rating: 3.5/4 stars
SPOILER SECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What gripped me most about this film that pushed it up to near four star territory was in fact its conclusion. After the SEALs successfully execute the remaining three pirates, Phillips goes into a petrified state. When have you ever seen Schwarzenegger or Stallone go into shock? Never. That's what separated this Hollywood film from the others; this may not have been what happened to the real guy, but it was completely effective for the story. After we see Phillips rescued from the ship, we see the men on the sub detain Muse, and they let him know the captain is alive and is three "friends" are dead. The look of utter defeat displayed on Abdi's face speaks volumes. I felt genuinely bad for him, and here's why:
In a black and white, clear cut movie, the pirates would have been ruthless antagonists. That's it. That would be their personalities. But Greengrass shows you these aren't evil men; they're caught up in evil circumstance, as holding oncoming ships ransom is the only way to further themselves in their community. Muse and the other pirates are hostages to their circumstances like the Alabama crew was hostage to them. It's the dreadful cycle that can't be broken, and it's sadly eye-opening.
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