Thursday, 12 February 2004
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
So, I finally got around to seeing Master and Commander. Despite the number of films that I watch, every year there are a few Academy Award nominees that I don't get around to seeing until after the nominations are announced; this was one. Rather than risk missing it in the theatre, I finally set aside the three hours it needed.
I definitely agree with a friend's advice that this was a must-see on the big screen, but not for my usual reasons (usually involving larger-than-life action or amazing images). While he did include some action (and decent action, at that), it felt more like Peter Weir needed every last square inch of screen to show the enormity of the ocean. More subtly, it reminds us that life is a series of greatly impacting moments separated by large spans of... well, "normal stuff."
Okay, this is where we are reminded that John is not a professional movie-reviewer: no matter how I write that bit above, it's going to come out sounding like I'm some pothead expounding on the hidden mysteries of life. Suffice to say that this was a Big Movie, and it needed a Big Screen. Missing it until it came out on video wasn't an option (never mind that I see a lot of films in the theatre anyway).
I liked the direction: the pacing especially worked well with the expansive cinematography. Yet there were nice contrasts, in the cramped interior and the hesitate-and-you-die battles. I liked the hint of an unresolved ending, like a subtle spice in a dish. Too often, major studio films bow to the American cineplex audiences' hunger for tidy endings with no loose threads.
Though Russell Crowe has never been one of my favorite actors, he did turn in a decent portrayal of a leader who'd duly earned his crew's respect. You can understand why a ship's captain is in a difficult position, having to live in close quarters with his men and yet keep his distance. I'm sure that it's as true now as it was then - and even more so in a submarine.
I much preferred Paul Bettany as Crowe's best friend and ship's surgeon. I last saw him in A Beautiful Mind, playing Crowe's best friend and, er, figment of imagination. Anyway, either role is a great improvement from the annoying Geoffrey Chaucer that I remember from A Knight's Tale (then again, that was far from the worst element of that film).
I'd like to see this one win an Oscar, just as long as it doesn't beat out Mystic River or The Return of the King for Best Picture.
3 / 5 : it didn't really float my boat, but a worthwhile movie nonetheless