Depending on what side of the pond you’re on, you may be well aware of Captain Richard Phillips (the story wasn’t that well reported in Europe in 2009), otherwise, the name may not mean much. Until now.
Based on the true story of Captain Richard Phillips and the hijacking of the Maersk Alabama (one of those huge cargo ships) by Somali pirates, Captain Phillips is not only one of this years most gripping movies, but also one of the best movies of 2013.
Starring Tom Hanks as a Somali pirate….hang on…Hanks plays Phillips here in one of the best performances he’s pulled out of his sailor bag in quite some time. Ultimately its a slow burn for Hanks as his calm and captainesque demeanour starts subtly shifting into a man who is fearing for his life. Its in the latter half of the movie, when things take a little twist (if you don’t know the story) that Hanks starts to turn on the acting juice big time and in Captain Phillips final moments, Hanks turns it all the ways up to 11, with what is surely an Oscar nod (at least) performance.
It’s not only Hanks though that mesmerises. The Somali pirates themselves played by Barkhad Abdi, Barkhad Abdirahman, Faysal Ahemd and Mahat M.Ali all bring a terrifying and utterly convincing performance to the screen and on more than one occasion, humanise their roles, as incredible as that is to believe.
Like these big cargo ships, that take an age to turn and get moving, Captain Phillips takes a bit of time to get going, but once it does, its full steam ahead. Paul Greengrass’ signature style is on display here, full whack. Lots of handheld work and quite alot of the time, its more like a fly on the wall documentary such is the way its shot, even being cluster phobic at times. And theres not a sound stage in site, as a real Maersk ship was used. Ultimately though, this movie sucks you on from the get go and by the end you’ll be left gasping for breath. This really is masterful filmmaking as Greengrass strangles the life out of the audience, without you even noticing it. By the time the “true story etc.” fades onto screen at the end, you won’t hear a pin drop in the cinema. Audiences will need a couple of seconds to get their breath.
Captain Phillips is one of the best movies you’ll see this year. Hanks is on top form and Greengrass knocks this one right out of the park! Breath-taking filmmaking! Board this right now!
