Title: The Finest Hours
Age: 12A
Released: 19th February 2016
Director: Craig Gillespie
Genre: Romance, Drama, Disaster Film
Rating: **** (4/5 stars)
About: On Feb. 18, 1952, a massive storm splits the SS Pendleton in two, trapping more than 30 sailors inside the tanker’s sinking stern. Engineer Ray Sybert bravely takes charge to organize a strategy for his fellow survivors. As word of the disaster reaches the Coast Guard in Chatham, Mass., Chief Warrant Officer Daniel Cluff orders a daring rescue mission. Despite the ferocious weather, coxswain Bernie Webber takes three men on a lifeboat to try and save the crew against seemingly impossible odds.
Review: What a film. I mean it’s certainly one that keeps you on your toes if you don’t know the real story.
I felt rather emotional to be fair when I was watching it, I had no idea if the rescue would work, or whether they would die in their attempt to rescue the other people.
I would have liked to see more of the relationship between Bernie and Miriam. Saying that, though, the did feel very real as a couple, even in their brief scenes together. Their relationship isn’t central to the plot, though, but I think it’s a nice addition to the somewhat dramatic film.
Now for the main plot of the story – I thought it was filmed brilliantly. I mean it uses the typical will they, or won’t they succeed in their rescue mission and I didn’t feel like there was anything special or different about the filming technique.
I did like the scene where the people on the stricken tanker are trying to figure out what to actually do about their situation and you could really feel the emotion when they all thought that they were going to die as no one was coming to save them.
Then there is also the short suspenseful moment when one of the men from the rescue boat is flung in the air and the film seems to slow down for a second or two, just as you start to think that he’s done for.
There are many more good examples of moments in the film that keep you on your toes, but I wouldn’t want to spoil them.
I loved the characters, though, and I felt that the actors played them amazingly. Chris Pine is great in capturing the heroic side of Bernie and his determination in succeeding in this rescue mission, unlike the previous one, which is mentioned in passing.
This is certainly a good film to watch if you’re in the mood for something that is a little dramatic and can make you feel a little emotional – you’re got drama, you’re got some romance, it’s got a bit of everything to keep everyone happy.
I definitely recommend it.
CastlesandTurrets 