A great deal in a film can be forgiven if it entirely sticks the ending, and this past year has had no better example of this than “Captain Phillips.” Though a capably tense and well-rendered experience for two-thirds of the narrative, Paul Greengrass’ drama still hits another level as it sends its sea-bound hostage tale toward its conclusion — and now we’ve got a spoilery reminder of why Tom Hanks deserved an Oscar nomination in a packed Best Actor lineup (see our full list of Oscar nominee snubs right here).
After a claustrophobic, two hours aboard the hostage situation between a band of Somali pirates led by Muse (Barkhad Abdi) and Maersk Alabama captain Richard Philips (Hanks), the film jolts both the audience and Hanks’ character with the subsequent bloody outcome. Our catharsis finally comes though, as Philips is rescued by Navy SEALS and led into a tiny medical station to receive treatment from two medics.
What occurs next is a masterclass in acting, as tremors of awareness start to creep back into Hanks’ face, and his character crumbles as he realizes the ordeal that he’s just survived. It’s a fantastic, heart-wrenching scene; it also shows a range from Hanks seen only rarely before. And to make the scene more unique, it was apparently a last-minute improv: Hanks, Greengrass, and the crew were originally supposed to shoot a more emotionally tame recovery scene, but they then switched plans and filmed a real-life Navy medic performing the procedure on Hanks.
Meanwhile, in related news, Schmoes Know are claiming that Greengrass is a possible candidate to direct the Lionsgate adaptation of Reza Aslan‘s “Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth.” The book studies Jesus through an academic lens, placing the religious figure within the context of history instead of religion. Potentially fascinating, but this is a faint rumor for now, so treat it as such.
And until we know more, catch “Captain Phillips” scene below (via Reddit), and if you haven’t already catch Greengrass’ excellent film and lament its absence come Sunday night’s awards.
You have know trauma to get it.
She was a real-life medic on board the ship. I\’m pretty sure she is out now and moving on with her life. She said she blew the first take by being so intimidated by the presence of Tom Hanks but he calmed her. This is the second take and it is absolutely perfect. SHE deserves recognition!
I read that she was a real medic and they told her to do exactly what she would do if the situation was real.
THIS is an Academy Award Winning Performance!!!!!
You posted the final scene? The ending? You gave away the ending. You stupid asshole. Who does that?
I couldn't agree more. Just watched it last night and thought the exact thing
NOPE.
Great scene! It made me cry both times I have seen it. Tom Hanks really captured the bewildering swirl of emotions that one must be experiencing in a surreal situation like that. I had a gut feeling that the woman was a real-life Navy medic — there was just something so authentic about the way she was interacting with and examining him that I think would have been difficult for an actor to mimic and get so real and so perfect.
I think Tom Hanks is an excellent actor, but this scene rings so false to me. I don't see a genuine emotional Captain Phillips moment there. I see a Tom Hanks acting scene. I just don't get. Some friends of mine were pushed to tears at the end of the movie, and I felt a little eyeroll coming on. Not trying to be cynical — I just don't understand all the hubbub.
i wonder what was the best scene of 2013 ? ?
please god please THE ICEMAN
med exam CAPTAIN PHILLIPS
dano jackman hammer PRISONERS
julian saves the girl ONLY GOD FORGIVES
dinner AUGUST OSAGE COUNTY
pitt bolito THE COUNSELOR
sex scene BLUE WARMEST COLOR
woody drives through town NEBRASKA
customer appreciation day AT ANY PRICE
the shootout MUD
patsy whipped 12 YEARS A SLAVE
stallone momoa axe BULLET TO THE HEAD
mcconaughey in the gay bar DALLAS BUYERS CLUB
the quaaludes WOLF WALL STREET
dicaprio versus edgerton THE GREAT GATSBY
the debris GRAVITY
mads in the supermarket THE HUNT
deniro arabic AMERICAN HUSTLE
the climax ALL IS LOST
phone call from strangers house PLACE BEYOND PINES
So many films nominated this year are not best picture worthy. This being one of the chief offenders.