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You're reading a really old version of matt-thornton's website. For example, if you're looking at the movie reviews... you'll notice that none of them are of recent films. Indeed, I leave them here for posterity's sake, but I doubt very much that they'll get updated anytime soon. So have a giggle.
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The Terminal
the one line review:
life is waiting. um.
the overview
I'm not sure how to classify this film. You think it's a happy film (which it is). But then you start thinking it's a love film (which it could be). Then you start thinking it might be making a political point (possibly). Altogether, though, it's trying to make a point (which it does).
the plot:
Hanks plays Viktor Navorski, an east european visitor to the United States from a made up Russian place called Krakohzia. On entry to the country he gets flagged by the immigration, and due to various political differences between the two countries he's not allowed to enter the US. But due to a war that broke up while he was on his way over, he's not able to leave to go home. So he's forced to stay in the terminal of JFK while they figure out what to do. He speaks barely any English, but over the 9 months he's forced to stay there, he learns more, he makes friends, he makes a name for himself, and generally does the typical nice honest bloke kind of thing. He helps people out, he meets a girl (Zeta-Jones), and generally gets in the way of the chap who's in charge of the airport.
We eventually learn why he wanted to come to the US in the first place, a task he was set and must complete. Which he duly does.
the verdict:
This is a quite charming film. It's a bit sickly, and a little tedious in places, but the concept is great (the whole film is filmed in the airport) and Hanks does a great job as the confused East European immigrant. His accent is really convincing, as are most of his mannerisms. It's funny really, because as someone who is openly adverse to most East Europeans (me) I didn't think I'd like this. It's a shame that the character that Hanks portrays, doesn't match up with the vast majority of Russians/Polish that I've met. Anyway.
Zeta-Jones is stunning, and the backup cast, whilst fulfilling their predictable roles quite predictably, do a good job. Hanks is the star, though, no question.
It keeps you tickled for most of the way through, even though you know what is inevitably going to happen.
I wouldn't go so far as to call it a feel-good film, but it's certainly quite happy, very endearing, and generally a quite enjoyable watch. Well worth a look as a Sunday afternoon lounging around sort of a film.
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