Directed by:
Craig GillespieCinematography:
Javier AguirresarobeComposer:
Carter BurwellCast:
Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Casey Affleck, Eric Bana, Holliday Grainger, Josh Stewart, Rachel Brosnahan, Michael Raymond-James, Graham McTavish, Kyle Gallner (more)VOD (4)
Plots(1)
On February 18, 1952, a massive nor'easter struck New England, pummeling towns along the Eastern seaboard and wreaking havoc on the ships caught in its deadly path, including the SS Pendleton, a T-2 oil tanker bound for Boston, which was literally ripped in half, trapping more than 30 sailors inside its rapidly-sinking stern. As the senior officer on board, first assistant engineer Ray Sybert (Casey Affleck) soon realizes it is up to him to take charge of the frightened crew and inspire the men to set aside their differences and work together to ride out one of the worst storms to ever hit the East Coast. Meanwhile, as word of the disaster reaches the U.S. Coast Guard station in Chatham, Massachusetts, Warrant Officer Daniel Cluff (Eric Bana) orders a daring operation to rescue the stranded men. Despite overwhelming odds, four men, led by Coast Guard Captain Bernie Webber (Chris Pine), set out in a wooden lifeboat with an ill-equipped engine and little, if any, means of navigation, facing frigid temperatures, 60-foot high waves and hurricane-force winds. (Walt Disney US)
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Reviews (6)
A film that is absolutely breathless, toiling like a barge on a stormy sea. The subdued and skilled camera technically stands up, but what is the point when the actors act between the naivety of the 1950s and the misinterpretations of Shakespeare (especially nominate Hamlet from Casey Affleck's engine room for the Golden Raspberry)? Wooden dialogues, a very vague structure and de facto the only exciting scene (overcoming the surf on the way from the port) result in probably the most boring disaster film, in which the film itself is the biggest disaster. The only thing that deserves some recognition is that Gillespie is trying a more civil approach than, for example, Wolfgang Petersen in The Perfect Storm... but what's the point when nothing but stupor comes from the film?
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I had no idea if this appealing sea adventure was a true story or the creation of the writers, so I was pleasantly surprised and, within the limits of a "family disaster movie", even found myself in a state of suspense in places. Of course, it's no Perfect Storm, but even so, the rating here seems unfairly low, because many of the scenes are truly memorable –crossing and riding huge waves, steering a half-broken tanker (that long shot of the passing of the order, backed by Burwell's music, is great), the arrival at the port... It's just a pity they didn't work more on the storyline involving Webber's fiancée, which was almost unnecessary in all this.
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The Finest Hours is not a film that impresses me. Perhaps if I watched it with my girlfriend, both of us just wanting to relax, I'd be okay with it and in the mood for it. But this time, the straightforwardness of Disney just didn't grab me. Overall, the story didn't entertain or interest me, perhaps only the water scenes were beautifully executed.
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An action version of the romantic The Notebook (!) about a wartime rescue team on a stormy winter ocean? Dudes in winter jackets steer (and submerge) a 1952 open motorboat through giant waves on the winter ocean with temperatures just above freezing in order to rescue stranded survivors of a shipwreck. The only tense moments in this whole farce is when they climb down the ladder leaving the wrecked ship. Although we should be worried about each character at every moment, while sympathizing with the girl on the mainland, who does not want to lose her beloved, the movie doesn’t elicit any such emotions – it has troubles with the characters and their motivations, and the only thing that remains in your memory is the nice romantic retro style.
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Not a big hit, but reliable entertainment. On the plus side, the story is based on true events and it's the world's largest small boat rescue, which is plenty to keep you interested. It's decently filmed, though a discerning viewer can tell that most of the film was shot in a studio, and the downside, at least for me, is the production company Disney, who deprived us of the grittiness, deaths and brutality... Well, what can you do. The film appeals to the fairer sex thanks to its light romance and the handsome Chris Pine is reliably handsome, so if you don't know what to take your girlfriend to, The Finest Hours could score. Story 6/10, Atmosphere 7/10, Gore 0/10, Visuals 7/10, Action 5/10, Suspense 7/10, Humor 0/10. Entertainment 7/10. 65%.
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Gallery (39)
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