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Written by: Billy Ray screenplay), Richard Phillips & Stephan Talty (based upon the book "A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALS, and Dangerous Days at Sea" by)
Directed by: Paul Greengrass
Starring: Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Barkhad Catherine Keener
Rated: PG-13
Watch the trailer
Plot
The true story of Captain Richard Phillips and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the U.S.-flagged MV Maersk Alabama, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in two hundred years.
Verdict
Tom Hanks and being based on a true story do a lot of lifting for this. The whole thing is a terrifying ordeal, and the fact that this happened only makes it more visceral. It does a good job of building the fear, and confusion but it stumbles mid-way. The story is caught between what has and will happen, staying there for too long. The final sequence is a great cap to the story as it manages to capture all of the emotion. Shortening this would give it more punch.
It depends.
Review
At the start we watch both Captain Phillips (Tom Hanks) and a group of pirates prepare for the day. While Phillips gets a memo about pirates, he's provided no real recourse other than try to avoid them. Even if you didn't know the plot, you can guess the pirates will intercept the transport ship. Pirate attacks are so rare that it's not a concern... until it happens.
Of course, the pirates attack as the ship tries to defend with fire hoses. It's intense as the pirates attempt to board clumsily board on their tiny boats. The pirate ships are smaller and able to more easily navigate despite the larger ship trying to get away. Phillips manages to fool the pirates into thinking a warship is nearby, but that only delays the inevitable. That's what is so wild about this, you don't think pirates are a thing because they haven't been for so long. Even with warnings, the crew ignored it.
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| Tom Hanks plays Captain Phillips |
Phillips is brave, trying to protect his crew and dissuade the pirates. While he offers cash, the pirates would rather ransom the boat. The defenses the crew have implemented don't do much. When the pirates can't gain control of the ship, they take Phillips hostage on a life boat. Phillips knows he's in danger, but he's trying to protect the crew. The pirates get scared and more erratic, jeopardizing Phillips and themselves.
This is a little long. The tension becomes flat as the hostage situation is prolonged with no new developments. Eventually the sequence ramps to a crescendo as the Navy SEALs try to extract him from the life boat. Phillips is convinced if he doesn't escape the pirates are going to kill him.
Phillips is rescued, but he's traumatized. All the emotions he's been holding in, being brave for the crew, appearing strong to defy the pirates; it all rushes out as he's safe but he can't quite believe it. This relies a lot on Tom Hanks and his every-man persona. That and this being a true story, imagining this really happening to someone. While it doesn't seem possible, imagining yourself as Phillips in the situation is unnerving. The final sequence is the most impactful. We watch Phillips break down after braving the entire ordeal, after thinking he's on the brink of death so many times.
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