In October of 1991, out in the Atlantic near the Flemish Cap, a group of six proud men were sacrificed to the sea. Conquered by a combination of Hurricane Grace and two other powerful squalls, the stage for The Perfect Storm is set in motion.
Based on the best-selling true story by Sebastian Junger, The Perfect Storm is the story of The Andrea Gail, a fishing boat stationed in Gloucester, Mass. After returning to port with a less-than-satisfactory load of fish, the bullheaded Captain Billy Tyne (George Clooney) decides to go out for one more run. Conjuring up a crew of six equally money-hungry shipmates, including Bobby Startfort (Mark Wahlberg), Dale “Murph” Murphey (John C. Reilly), and Sully (William Fichtner), The Andrea Gail sets its course.
Once on sea, the story is based on speculation and last contact facts, which explains the exaggerated events and near encounters with death for the sake of making a blockbuster. I mean, come on, do we really know that a shark attacked Bobby, or that Murph was actually dragged out to sea by the fish line nearly drowning? No, we don’t. It’s all a ploy to make the tension mount up until that final moment of catastrophe.
With waves crashing in at monstrous heights, the representation of the perfect storm is spectacular, not to mention the nail-biting depiction of a rescue team fighting to save lives while endangering their own. This is what makes The Perfect Storm worthwhile. I only wish there were more time dedicated to the real heroes of the storm instead of a fisherman’s boat full of money-hungry egomaniacs. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I’m not sympathetic towards these men’s lives, it’s just that their reasoning for going back to sea was encouraged by testosterone, which is exactly what kept pushing them further out even after they were aware of the consequences. It was like pride and an invincible attitude killed these men rather than the perfect storm.
As far as the acting goes, George Clooney is somewhat dull but convincing as the stern Captain, and Mark Wahlberg holds his own as the young and in love Bobby. The rest of The Andrea Gail crew are a bit one-dimensional yet still likable. However, the out-of-nowhere conflict between Sully and Murph is confusing and a little much. The main downfall is Diane Lane as Bobby’s whiny girlfriend, Christina. Her accent is over-the-top and those pouty eyes are enough to make you want to scratch them out. The sentiment between Bobby and Christina is a little forced, but once it cuts to the waves and riveting seascape, most of it is forgotten.
The Perfect Storm is an interesting tale, one that transfers to the screen quite well. The effects are great, and because of the truthful basis, frightening as well. It’s the average acting and outlandish drama that make The Perfect Storm fall a bit short of perfect.
+ Ashley Adams
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