Cast: Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster, Eric Bana, Holliday Grainger
Director: Craig Gillespie
True heroism is more than being on your own; it is about having faith in your instincts and trusting your friends when faced with grave situations. It is not about pulling off stunts but about being able to hold your nerves and make the choices. It’s not so much about muscle but about the grit and determination to hold your ground. All this and a little more is visible in The Finest Hours.
The story of the famous SS Pendleton shipwreck that also led to the humble Coast Guard vessel CG-36500 getting its share of fame when it carried more than 30 survivors and its crew in the rough storm.
Casey Affleck plays Ray Sybert, the engine man aboard SS Pendleton. His presence is very interesting; he seems like a man of intense association with his machines and someone who can keep calm. He understands the ins and outs of the engine room. There may be some complaints about the terminology used in films, but that is a generic complaint that needs more than just proper research from the crew. Chris Pine, playing Bernie Webber, is also a very honest actor.
Walt Disney Pictures definitely brings its massive expertise into the film and the special effects are very real, the swelling waves, the ruptured hull of the ship and the ambient lighting and sound effects are very well executed and in a proper 3D viewing, the movie will give you some moments of thrill. However, there are moments of dullness too, and until Chris Pine takes the CG-36500 into the sea, the movie seems quite monotonous. It is only when we see the humble boat facing the huge waves that it becomes exciting.
Another interesting thing about such movies is the challenge that filmmakers have to face while creating such moving objects that worked on old technology.
There are other supporting characters and all of them have had their fair share of glory as in the real-life incident. There are some crucial bits that seem very important, but they could have done better with some more time on screen.
The attempt to manually navigate the ship is something that seems interesting when Ray first proposes it to his crew, and even when they attempt to do it, the details and the exactness of the moment come under question, it’s as if they hurriedly moved along to avoid any questions about the accuracy of the act.
Bernie Webber, who is seemingly an idealist, dares to take the rescue boat, and eventually makes it back alive. You are not bucked up all the while and most of the characters are aware of the danger that the storm presents, and so there is not much optimism about the return, and this is what gives the film a little documentary flourish, while still keeping you hooked to the scary waves.
The movie is a good watch if you like adventure and rescue stories, but if you want a little more of romance, you won’t really feel satiated. Do not look for technical accuracies, or the clichéd nature of failing devices as they make the story more effective.
The writer is founder, Lightcube Film Society
