Tom Hanks is one of those actors I love watching in anything. Not all movies he stars in will always be good, but I will see a movie if I know he is in it. In Captain Philips he plays the titular role of a captain who has to deal with Somali pirates who want to take control of his ship. The movie has been directed by Paul Greengrass, who is best known for his work in the Bourne movies. He’s a director who knows how to frame action in a way that involves you and in this case that is a good fit for the type of story that’s being told.
During the last couple of years I had heard lots of stories about Somali pirates entering big ships, taking crews hostage and asking for money, but other than a short news item I did not know much more. I never thought about how you would be able to protect a ship from someone wanting to enter it. For such a huge ship it is amazing only few people are actually running it. This movie shows a side of the pirating story that you will not think about. Pirates are by definition bad, but here enough time is spent on their side of the story to understand that they don’t have any option, but to get into a boat and try to enter a big vessel. Although they do things they should not, you know why they do it, you see their humanity.
A story like this needs to be convincing. It is a terrifying situation for the crew and the pirates need to show they mean business. Actor Barkhad Abdi plays the leader of the pirates and gives a stunning performance. According to IMDB it is his first role, but he impresses and plays the character as a thinking man, weighing his options and always trying to keep the upper hand. He holds his own against an acting powerhouse like Tom Hanks who gives one of his best performances in his career. It has been said in many other reviews, but what he shows in towards the end of the movie is something so powerful that I was blown away by it. The story is thrilling and emotional. Captain Phillips is a movie you should be checking out if you get the chance.
If Tom Hanks doesn’t win an Oscar for his work here, there is simply no justice in the world. Ditto for Barkhad Abdi, one of the best debut performances I’ve EVER seen.
It would not surprise me if he won. Yeah, he was awesome, both frightening and a chracter who keeps control of himself and the situation.
What impressed me most (and it’s probably a lot to do with Greengrass’ direction as well) was that Abdi’s character always came across as sympathetic – in the fact that he needed to be doing this to provide for his family. That, I think, is the greatest tragedy to come from all this piracy business…
Good review Nostra. The movie itself a grade-A thriller that never loses its sense of suspense or tension in the midst of everything that’s happening, but its Hanks’ final moments on screen that really got me going and pushed this over the hill into my Top 10.
Thanks Dan! Yeah, constant suspense indeed. No surprise that it ended up in your top 10.
One of the highlights of the year for me. Very powerful stuff and the cast are incredible.
Yes, can do nothing but agree.
Captain Philips was really intense and entertaining, agree the acting was convincing. I liked it, didn’t love it.
Me personally, I thought A Hijacking (2012) directed by Tobias Lindholm was a bit more thought-provoking(and just as thrilling)
You mention protecting ship. Was interesting to read that these type of movies might not even get made now, because plastic rail was invented that stops shipping pirates:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2420071/Husband-wife-designers-set-make-1million-plastic-rail-STOPS-pirates-tracks.html
I heard about that movie as well, but did not watch it.
Simple but an effective way to do it! 🙂
Good review. I missed this when it was out in theatres, but I will look for it on Netflix.
Worth watching, so hope you enjoy it.
Great stuff. One of my favourites of 2013. Hanks’ performance, especially in the closing scene, was raw and powerful stuff. Abdi was something else too.
Yeah, this is one of those movies which is loved by almost everyone and for good reason.
That final scene with Hanks is porbably amongst his very best work. Powerful stuff…
When I get the chance, I shall check this out Nostra. The supporting actor Abdi is outstanding according to everyone. I want to see it for him alone. Although I always enjoy Hanks too.
Well worth it Mark…will keep an eye out for a review!
Totally agree w/ the high rating. This film managed to sneak into my Top 10 of the year (which I’m still working on), and now Greengrass has been deservedly nominated by DGA for Best Director.
Waiting on that top 10 Ruth 😉 Did not know he was nominated, but completely agree why.
Nice review! I really enjoyed this film, and I agree the end really has some powerful acting.
Happy to hear that 🙂
Yeah, everyone talk about the end, but how couldn’t you? Has Tom Hanks ever been this good? And yes, Barkhad Abdi was also very impressing. I hope he’ll get the chance to play completely different kinds of roles in the future, not ending up being casted to only play terrorist type of roles just because he did this one so well.
Exactly, not something you can not mention 😉 Don’t think he will end up playing the same roles everytime and would not be surprised if he could pull off other roles in different genres very convincingly.
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