'Captain Phillips' - Give the Oscar to Hanks now!

It's an arduous task to make a true story thrilling. Ben Affleck was able to do it masterfully with last years Best Picture 'Argo'; this year,director Paul Greengrass delivers not only one of the best pictures of the year, but one of the most nail biting films I have seen in some time in the thrilling 'Captain Phillips'.  

I remember the story well, in 2009 four Somali pirates seized an American cargo ship off of the coast of Africa as it headed to Kenya (carrying food for the starving residents); it was the first time in over 200 years that an American ship was hijacked. For 3 harrowing days the world watched the news, waiting with bated breath to hear of the captive Captain Phillips, who by all standards was a hero above all heroes saving the lives of the 20 souls he commanded.  Most of us know the outcome of the story - for most of us the story is still very fresh on our minds; so how is it that Greengrass is able to make us feeling the tension of the crisis for each second we view it?

It is through the fine acting of Tom Hanks as Captain Phillips that we feel the very energy and stress of the situation. Hanks, this generations Jimmy Stewart, the perfect any man; plays the any man Phillips perfectly. The last ten minutes of the film alone are reason enough to give the golden statue to Hanks. His nuanced performance is one of the best of his career and firmly solidifies Hanks as an actor of a generation.

Greengrass approach to the film follows an almost documentary approach, with hand held cameras and darker, natural lighting giving the feel of the situation unfolding as you watch it. The claustrophobic feel of the lifeboat that Phillips is held captive on fills the theater with heat and sweat, you will find yourself breathing heavier and sweating as Phillips did. The tension is further ramped up by the desperation of the 4 Somali pirates, who are forced to capture ships without ever seeing the profit from it as all proceeds go to the Tribal Warlord. Even more stressful is the thought and reality that 4 armed pirates in a skiff boat can capture a ship nearly 100 times it's size as Phillips and his crew are tied by company policy which only allows them fire-hoses to defend themselves.

'Captain Phllips' is a tale of desperation, bravery and honor. Putting his life in front of his crew is just the point of Captain Phillips. You will be hard pressed to not walk out of the theater prouder of your country and your fellow country men. Phillips was and is an inspiration to us all; just as are the Navy Seals who rescued him. A true testament to the film is that you are not proud in the jump up and yell fashion, but rather you are proud of everyone who played their part to help the situation work out in a positive fashion.

The 4 star 'Captain Phillips' is surely on the Best Picture list with Tom Hanks as the Best Actor winner!