Review of In the Heart of the Sea (2015) by Herndonrules — 17 Jan 2016

A truly great book ends up being a mediocre movie. With such a ready made story, it's shocking the film does not succeed. Because the movie spends so much time focusing on the recurring narrative technique which has Herman Melville meeting with the last living survivor of the Essex (the usually incomparable Gleeson), it loses the opportunity to character develop the two main characters on the ship.

Thus, when the encounter with the whale and its aftermath ensues, the viewer has little emotionally invested in any of the survivors. Apart from spectacular visuals with the whale, the movie has little going for it in any area.

Recommend the viewer invest in the book for a well told, exciting and amazing true life adventure story.