Review of The Finest Hours (2016) by Nikki W — 11 Dec 2016

I didn't know this story before I watched this film and, to be honest, films at sea are not my go-to genre, but I generally enjoy Casey Affleck in films, and think that Chris Pine is just getting better and better so decide to delve in. It helps that there is a little-known English actress, Holliday Grainger, in this who used to be in a little TV show in the UK and I always like to see my fellow country-women do well.

The story, all true, is essentially broken into two simultaneous parts, the rescuers and the rescued, both with their own perils and squabbles to overcome. The two marry well together, although I personally would have liked more on the stricken tanker. Affleck, the leader of the rescued, plays an almost silent and definitely brooding type, but the frustration he must feel is palpable regardless of the calm exterior. Pine, Affleck's counterpart in the rescuers, wears his shy heart on his sleeve, he's vulnerable but strong, nervous but determined, all of these qualities seep out of the screen surrounded by gallons and gallons of water.

As the fierce and flirty leading lady, Holliday Grainger portrays a fiance waiting for her man to return home safe, but she is never weak or a damsel in distress. She is certain and strong. A lovely change to the archetypal girl keeping the home fires burning.

The thing that could have really let this film down was the accents. There are many examples over the years of terrible Bostonian accents on film and it's something that, if done wrong, can pull you out of a film. You struggle to suspend your belief because it's distracting. Pine and Grainger do well. Affleck and Foster as native Bostonians really had no excuse to get it right either.

Ultimately, I recommend this film. It's not one you'll watch over and over, but you'll enjoy it, more so, I feel, when you realise it's a true story. It's well scripted, well shot, the costumes are dead on, the CGI is there, of course, but it doesn't over power, and the acting is strong from the whole cast. Pine and Affleck in particular.