Oh Captain, My Captain

Captain Phillips 
Directed by: Paul Greengrass
Written by: Billy Ray
Starring: Tom Hanks

Cargo ships regularly sail through the treacherous waters around the Horn of Africa.  It's the only way to get shipments from the Port of Dubai to the western world.  It's not easy and the constant threat of Somali Pirates lingers in the back of every crew member's mind.  While most ships ably pass through without incident, this wasn't the case for The Maersk Alabama and her 20 crew.  Not only did pirates quickly approach, they all too easily boarded and took control of the captain and the ship.  Without any security or weapons (something very common and oddly not explained) the crew were rendered helpless and left to their own creativity in fending off the pirates.  Using the same frenetic, though not confusing, style from United 93 and The Bourne Supremacy, director Paul Greengrass has created a dynamic, pulsing film that hums along while still taking necessary moments to breathe, develop character, and a strong narrative.  

After a five minute opening that is completely unnecessary, forced, and poorly written, the story sets sail out of Dubai with Captain Phillips (Tom Hanks) at the helm - a 19-year veteran.  Knowing full well the course he's charted is extremely dangerous (but, really, what other choice is there?) he readies his crew for any possible situation by holding drill after drill.  The crew don't take these seriously, though.  Nothing's going to happen.  But, of course something happens.  Here, the script does something refreshing - it develops the Somali Pirates - specifically their 'captain,' Muse.  After all, he's human.  He has his own, however misguided, motivation for doing what he does.  There's a need for him to attack the ship - to survive.  He doesn't get paid, his family doesn't get paid.  This is a very relatable need.  Muse - played by a wonderful and unknown Barkhad Abdi - is rash and careless.  He needs to be though, caution doesn't feed his family.  His carelessness comes from fear - and there is an apparent lack of self-confidence, which he over compensates for in his actions and demeanor, ultimately resulting in his carelessness.  The script and Greengrass play Phillips and Muse off each other like salt and pepper - both complimentary, both different.   The interplay between Hanks and Abdi is fantastic, with Hanks allowing his Captain Phillips to give the appearance of ceding control while always maintaining the upper-hand.  Having much less experience, and being the one more afraid, Abdi's Muse misjudges his position aboard the ship.

Once the pirates have hooked their ladders, boarded, and taken control of the ship the intensity with which Greengrass shoots the film increases with each scene.  Nothing gets better for the crew and nothing eases up for the audience.  Every beat propels the film forward with an intensity that is jarring, made all the more so knowing this is based on a true story.  Yet, while Greengrass uses his trademark handheld camera style, he's deft enough to know when to hold onto a moment.  Where too many directors mistake close ups and quick cutting for drama, Greengrass understands how to use the close-up and the quick cut in a way that's effective for the story he's telling.  He starts off slow, builds a momentum, reaches a breaking point, and then pauses, finally allowing the camera to linger, creating a tension and a mood that is more powerful and meaningful than just the rapid fire cuts the MTV generation seems too willing to accept.  

You may know the ending or you may not be familiar with this story that gripped headlines a few years ago.  Regardless, knowing the outcome does not change how you enjoy the film.  Creating tension in a film where most will know the ending is a difficult task (see Argo), but because the script developed an extremely likable protagonist (and Hanks deftly brought him to life) and an equally relatable antagonist you feel a deep respect and empathy towards both.  Yes, while Muse is a deeply misguided and flawed character, it's hard to not see where he comes from and how few options he has.  By creating an actual character (and not a stereotype) this gives the film an extra dimension so often missing in these types of stories.  This dimension serves the story well and elevates it from melodrama to a work that is both meaningful and entertaining.  For those that aren't familiar with the story, I won't spoil it here, but know that you are in for a thrilling ride and one that will make you ask, at least once, if the bad guys are really all that wrong.