The Finest Hours (2015 PG-13), directed by Craig Gillespie, tells the true story of a 1950’s Coast Guard rescue against all odds.
This movie is about heroes. The people who sign up to serve their country in war and in peace, and risk their lives for others. The women who wait. The men who avoid panicking, and fight against the odds to keep their sinking ship intact until rescue.
Yet the strongest person in the film is the fiance, the girl who barges in to tell the Coast Guard commander to bring her man back. And also the Coast Guard widow, who packs her young kids in the car during a storm to take food to the community center for the survivors, if there are any.
The other heroes are unlikely heroes.
Casey Affleck plays chief engineer Ray Sybert, an introvert who would rather tinker with his dials and engines than lead a crew. Yet he must, and reluctantly rises to the challenge of confronting much stronger personalities to do what must be done to save the ship.
Chris Pine plays Bernie Webber of the Coast Guard, a shy man who lives in the shadow of his big brother’s heroics. He leads a crew of four to almost certain death, knowing he is the only chance the stranded men have. He can barely make eye contact, he is so shy.
Chris Pine is known for playing larger than life characters, so it is really fun to see him act out such a submissive character.
- STARSHIP CAPTAIN
- PRINCE
- THE BIG BROTHER PRINCE WHO MOCKS HIS LITTLE BROTHER PRINCE’S HEARTBREAK
Love that scene from Into the Woods!
Back to our movie….Watch “The Finest Hours.” Enjoy the performances. Marvel at the daring rescue. Envy the 1950’s dresses. Root for the survivors as the ship sinks.
Bring a jacket to the theater…Watching that terrible blizzard and rough seas makes a person cold!