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The
Terminal
Paul
Martin, 25 June 2004
Once
again, Tom Hanks has shown that he can reinvent himself and adapt
to roles that make us forget that he is Tom Hanks, and actually
believe that he is the character. From Forrest Gump to a boy grown
up overnight in Big. From a Manager in A League of Their Own to
Jim Lovell in Apollo 13. From Cowboy Woody in Toy Story, to Capt.
John Miller in Saving Private Ryan, to Chuck Noland in Cast Away,
to Michael Sullivan in Road to Perdition.
Well,
that was interesting... might as well just list his Filmography.
Anyway, as Viktor Navorski, he's molded a character that is a noble
man, very kind, and we just want to know why he does what he does.
The only clue to unlocking who Viktor is, was when he makes the
sign of the cross before he sleeps. He's a very resourceful person,
and a quick learner. Building amazing things overnight. We watched
the character start, only knowing a few words of english, and watch
as he teaches himself more, and we get to look inside his character
as he reveals more and more of who he is, through the people he
meets and the friends he makes while living in the Terminal. He's
a great person, and knows what he wants in life.
We
also meet the conflicted, yet stagnant Amelia, played by Catherine
Zeta-Jones. Amelia is stuck working in the airline, and in many
relationships. She sees something in Viktor that she wants, but
she can't break old habits. She learns something about herself from
Viktor, and while she does have a longing for change, she has a
hard time trying to change.
Stanley
Tucci is again working with Tom Hanks. He was Frank Nitti in Road
to Perdition. This time, he is Frank Dixon. Both roles are dominant
characters, looking for peace, as Tom Hanks' characters give him
a run for his money. He was an interesting character, but we never
really understood his motivations. There was a lot to the character
that was left unsaid, and we were never really allowed to get in,
past the surface that he showed us.
Viktor's
friends in the film are great, as is the visible effect that he
has on all the people that work at the Airport. The movie has a
lot of moments that endear us to the characters. While it's not
the best movie I've seen this year, it's one of the better ones.
8.5/10
Tom
Hanks' Filmography
2004
The Polar Express - The Conductor/Hero Boy, Executive Producer
The Terminal - Viktor Navorski
The Ladykillers - Professor G.H. Dorr
2002
Catch Me If You Can - Carl Hanratty
Road to Perdition - Michael 'Mike' Sullivan
2000
Cast Away - Chuck Noland, Producer
1999
The Green Mile - Paul Edgecomb
Toy Story 2 - Sheriff Woody (voice), Singer ("You've Got a
Friend in Me")
1998
You've Got Mail - Joe Fox aka NY152
Saving Private Ryan - Capt. John Miller
1996
That Thing You Do! - Mr. White, Director, Writer (written by), Composer
(songs)
1995
Toy Story - Woody (voice)
Apollo 13 - Jim Lovell
1994
Forrest Gump - Forrest Gump
1993
Philadelphia - Andrew Beckett
Sleepless in Seattle - Sam Baldwin
1992
A League of Their Own - Jimmy Dugan
Radio Flyer - Older Mike (uncredited)
1990
The Bonfire of the Vanities - Sherman McCoy
Joe Versus the Volcano - Joe Banks
1989
Turner & Hooch - Det. Scott Turner
The 'burbs - Ray Peterson
1988
Punchline - Steven Gold
Big - Josh
1987
Dragnet - Pep Streebeck, Singer ("City of Crime")
1986
Every Time We Say Goodbye - David
Nothing in Common - David Basner
The Money Pit - Walter Fielding, Jr.
1985
Volunteers - Lawrence Bourne III
The Man with One Red Shoe - Richard
1984
Bachelor Party - Rick Gassko
Splash - Allen Bauer
1980
He Knows You're Alone - Elliot
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