Review of The Terminal (2004) by Rian P — 17 May 2012

Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction, which is definitely the case with this film that is based on a real person's life. The idea of someone getting caught up in a loophole so that they can't leave an airport is crazy, but makes for a surprisingly interesting story. Watching as Viktor figures out different tricks to survive is fun. However I think the movie really hits its stride when Viktor begins befriending the employees at the airport and becomes an icon to them.

Tom Hanks does surprisingly well playing a foreigner. His accent never seems to slip in any significant way. Stanley Tucci is amazing as the over-ambitious Frank Dixon. In fact that's where I think the movie is best. When Dixon's by-the-book mentality is contrasted with Navorski's heartfelt desire to do what is right, the movie is divine. In fact the peak scene of the movie is basically in the middle of the film when Viktor helps as an interpreter for an irate passenger. The only thing I find lacking in their contentious relationship is the end when Dixon seems surprisingly capable of giving up after such a long-standing hatred.

My one complaint with the film is the odd romance they try to shoehorn into the story. It feels so unnecessary for the story, and the actors have no chemistry at all. In fact a romance between 2 supporting cast members ends up being more compelling than the one between the leads. If they had just avoided the superfluous romance I think this movie could have been great, instead it's just good. Still I find The Terminal to be a movie that is fun to watch from time to time.