LFF 2013 - Captain Phillips

Nowadays, the most striking of news stories that break are likely to receive a film treatment, eventually - 9/11 has seen its film portrayals and war epics have always been a big part of the industry. The latest real-life story to be portrayed on the big screen is of a captain who saw his life on the line after Somali pirates took over his ship. Paul Greengrass’ Captain Phillips is a simply ground-breaking and affecting picture to say the very least.

Captain Rich Phillips (Tom Hanks) is once again setting out for another voyage in charge of a cargo ship, heading out around the coast of Somalia. As he discusses with his wife (Catherine Keener), each voyage never gets easier, and this is one particular voyage that he will never forget.

As Phillips and his crew set out to deliver their cargo of food and supplies, the captain remains meticulous in his planning and organisation. Wary of previous pirate threats as they journey towards the Somali waters, he urges his crew to remain focused as they put into motion a drill to ensure everything is under control should an incident occur.

During the drill, a group of pirates look to infiltrate the ship and use hostages to gain much required supplies and money for their own means. Initially failing, the pirates, led by the skinny yet resolute Muse (Barkhad Abdi), board the ship and take Captain Phillips as hostage. With the crew hiding in the bowels of the ship, it is up to Phillips to risk his life and manage the situation before help hopefully arrives.

Paul Greengrass is no stranger to delivering truly authentic drama to the big screen and Captain Phillips is no different. Tackling a stunning real-life story, Greengrass orchestrates his film with  a pinpoint breathlessness from the off, first gently easing us in with short character studies of both our main protagonists, both innocent and guilty. Once he beds us in with our specific individuals involved, he then cranks it up a notch as we are fully embedded into a wonderfully tense spectacle, proving his might behind the camera yet again.

Gasps aplenty and nail-biting tension remain the order of the day once the ship is taken over, with Hanks running the show with an exceptional performance of raw emotion, grit and determination. The actor is still one of the best in the business and this shows in his physical and emotion role, in which his every scene is filled with acting prowess and defined quality.

The film is also bolstered in its villains of the piece in the way of Barkhad Abdi and Faysal Ahmed. Abdi’s Muse is certainly one to look out for, his character’s stature rather petite but his evil streak hugely affecting. From the very moment he declares himself captain, Abdi hammers home his portrayal with a menacing and unhinged individual who will stop at nothing to prove his worth.
Backed by a powerful score and some immensely striking cinematography and imagery, Greengrass excels in grabbing the audience by the scruff of the neck and dropping them into the full chaos and fear of the scenario. Possessing superb actors in his arsenal, the director pairs this with a fluid style of filmmaking and plenty of pulse-pounding instances, solidifying Captain Phillips’ status as an Oscar contender.

Imagine all the best elements from last year’s stellar entries Zero Dark Thirty and Argo, throw in an unbelievable Oscar-worthy performance from Tom Hanks, and finish off with a profoundly moving ending, and Captain Phillips strikes a chord, making it one of the best films of the year. Gripping, ground-breaking and heart-wrenching stuff.

Cinema Review - Cloud Atlas

When talk of ambitious projects comes up in conversation then the likes of Life Of Pi, Watchmen and others regularly occur, but now it seems that the most ambitious project of all seems to be making waves, Cloud Atlas. Captivating and awe-inspiring, Cloud Atlas looks into a world where all of our lives are linked in some way and tells various stories of love, life and loss as we span decades to witness various individuals experience life-changing events.

Each story very different from one another yet interlinking with pure genius, Cloud Atlas throws up many a sub-plot all combining to create an unforgettable cinematic experience. Spanning across 1849, 1936, 1973, 2012, 2144 and the very distant future, the stories are each their own fascinating entity. Beginning with Adam Lewing’s (Jim Sturgess) morality-questioning story aboard a ship during the age of slavery, the film then heads into the life of Robert Frobisher (Ben Whishaw), a talented young musician who falls in love with Rufus Sixsmith (James D’Arcy) and looks to complete his masterpiece, The Cloud Atlas Sextet. Heading further forward, we then track the steps of reporter Luisa Rey (Halle Berry) as she meets an older Sixsmith and finds herself embroiled in the uncovering of a nuclear plot as her life is on the line, with a hitman (Hugo Weaving) on her tail.

Heading into 2012, Timothy Cavendish (Jim Broadbent) hits the jackpot when the author he represents is sent to prison for murder and sales of his books fly high. Unfortunately for him, his lust for money sees violent men on his tail and a prank played on him that will change his way of living forever. Zipping forward to a more futuristic world, the penultimate story takes us to 2144 where we become acquainted with Sonmi-451, a clone working in a restaurant who finds solace in freedom fighter Hae-Joo Chang (Sturgess). The final story is set in The Valley, where human civilisation has been depleted and there are cannibals wreaking havoc. When Meronym (Berry) calls upon Zachry (Tom Hanks) to aid her in finding the Cloud Atlas communications technology, the pair embark on a dangerous mission through the mountains.

Such a blend of differing stories is bound to confuse even the most challenged of minds but to Cloud Atlas’ merit it does a superb job of making things as clear as possible. Initially setting out each story in chronological order, we soon see things blended and mixed up, but in such a way as to maintain a pace and understanding that things don’t get too overwhelming. It is clear that the directing trio of Lana and Andy Wachowski and Tom Tykwer have carefully planned out and dissected the stories from the book to create a marvelous outing.

Of the stories to follow we will all have our favourites, and the stand-outs for me personally are those of Robert Frobisher and the futuristic world of Sonmi; both hugely diverse yet awe-inspiring. In the case of Ben Whishaw, the actor produces a sublime performance and really shows that he is an actor who is heading for all the right places.  

With Tom Hanks on usual top form (look out for his crazy Irish author!) and the rest of the cast very impressive, Cloud Atlas is an awe-inspiring movie that breaks the boundaries of expectations and ambition. It's just a shame that it is let down by its runtime that slightly meanders into overstaying its welcome.

Film Rating: 4 out of 5 F's

Cinema Review - Larry Crowne

Tom Hanks is one of Hollywood's star players, the gentleman's gentleman and a star held in extremely high regard by his peers. At the pinnacle of his career, Hanks has starred in many an exceptional film so who can blame him for wanting to head behind camera again for his second directorial outing, Larry Crowne. 


Starring as the film's lead, Hanks portrays your run-of-the-mill American working at a department store earning his keep. Earning employee of the month on a regular basis, Larry is a lively man who loves his job. Unfortunately things come to a sudden end when he is fired from the job and left with a house to pay for on his own and no opportunities offering themselves to him. 


Finding out that his sacking was down to the fact he never went to college and got qualifications, Crowne is determined to better himself. Therefore, he goes to college in order to get those qualifications and make a new life for himself. 


Joining a group of very diverse students, Larry soon blends in with the younger generation and thoroughly enjoys his time as a college student, joining a moped crew and unexpectedly falling for his teacher Mercedes Tainot (Julia Roberts). Larry Crowne's college adventure is not just that, it's a turning point in his life.


Let's put things straight, dubbed a comedy drama Larry Crowne is little of either. Okay, a little humour every now and again fires it's way through to us through quirky Hanks and yard sale enthusiast neighbour Cedric the Entertainer but little in the way of brilliant humour. In terms of drama, the film is more romance and friendship based than dramatic. 


Hanks and Roberts' chemistry showcases years of experience in film, both rebounding of each other with such ease but this does not save the film from being little more than mediocre. Smaller roles from the likes of George Takei and Cedric the Entertainer are wasted opportunities and the story trudges along without really grabbing your attention as much as it should. 


Film rating: 2 out of 5 stars


The lowdown: Larry Crowne is a harmless and heartfelt film simply for those who enjoy a good love story. Predictable and nothing that hasn't been seen before, it will be one of Hanks' more forgettable outings in his fantastic career.