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If movies
are art, than this is a masterpiece. This is the kind of film that determines which film directors are artists and which simply
put out movies. Director Peter Weir has proven himself a master director, but here he has created pure cinematic art. Many
people complain that his films, especially this one, are slow and tedious, with too much focus on characters and not enough
on plot. True, this particular film has little action and not much plot. But I say, I would rather have a film with the most
interesting characters ever, with characters who are real people, multi-dimensional and intriguing, in a film without much
plot, than a film that is fun and exciting but with shallow, hollow characters I could care less about. This film is of the
former variety. It is classic Peter Weir, more concerened about characters than anything else. But this is what sets Mr. Weir
apart from other directors, and this is his strength.
Mr. Weir has captured
the essence of the early 1800s and life at sea in this film beautifully. Everything about it rings true. The attention to
detail here is astounding. I wonder how many hours researching the time period the cast and crew did in making this film.
It must have been quite awhile. Everything, from the costuming to the boat (the Surprise) itself is real and accurate for
the period of the film. Even though the film is character based, enough attention is payed to the boat itself and the sea
it sails upon (which makes sense, because if you're going to spend hours building a regulation grade ship of the Royal Navy,
which is so authentic it could actually sail for the Navy, then why not flaunt it?). The cinematography is very good. There
is not too much focus on the characters, which is good. This film is about them, true, but it is also about life at sea, and
so must present this accordingly. Much of the movie was filmed in giant tank than out at sea, but this is hardly noticeable.
Even the storm at Cape Horn seems real. I was particularly fascinated by the sequence at the Galápagos. I wonder, if the sequence
was actually filmed there, how the producers managed to secure a secluded spot to film. And if the movie wasn't filmed there,
then they did a great job making a replica of the islands.
But the movie isn't
about the boat, or the crew's mission to prevent a French ship from starting a war in foreign waters. It is about the crew
on board the ship. I could never live on a boat that size for months on end. It's too crowded, and can you imagine how dirty
it would be? The dignity of the men is admirable. They are almost certain to die (the first section of the film just about
dooms the Surprise and her crew, but of course, it's a British film, so the British have to win in the end). They will not
forsake England in their quest to fight the French. At the head of the crew is Captain Jack Aubrey, played to perfection by
Russell Crowe (a brilliant-and shamelessly handsome-actor). Mr. Crowe is fantastic and has yet to be in a bad film. Here is
no exception. He completely embodies Aubrey, giving the character depth and making him so real it seems as if he was a real
historical figure. The character of Aubrey is excellent. He is truly multi-dimensional: he is loyal (to King, country, and
crew), iron-willed (he will not tolerate insubordination on his ship), stubborn (duty comes first), and he rules his ship
with an iron fist. But he is kind, fair, and has a gentle side. He cares about his men and would never do anything to purposely
put them in danger (but even so, war is war, and he knows this). Mr. Crowe shows each side of the man, and it is impossible
not to admire, or even like, Aubrey, even if we don't always agree with his way of running things. Sharing the limelight is
Paul Bettany (another fantastic, and attractive, actor) as Aubrey's doctor and best friend Stephen Maturin. Maturin speaks
at times for the audience when he questions his friend's harsh disciplining of the crew and his seemingly reckless attempts
to fulfil duty. Like Mr. Crowe, Mr. Bettany completely becomes his character and makes him real. The two actors play so well
off of each other in the film (they fight like a married couple, always bickering and arguing, yet doing so in a kind and
dignified way). It's nice to see the two men back together again. I hope we will see them in the same movies again in the
future. They do so well together here that it makes me think that they truly are best friends. Part of this is the writing
of the characters themselves. But the actors contribute so much that they seem real to us.
There
is little action in the film, but when it's there it hits us like a blow to the head. The fighting is brutal. There is no
swashbuckling here, no dignified fighting. The two sides (the Frenchmen and our British lads on the Surprise) simply want
each other dead. No grandious music coincides with the fighting; it is simply a fullscale slaughter on both sides. Mr. Weir
captures the confusion and disorientation of a battle expertly. It is so dangerous, and no one, not even the captain, escapes
unharmed. The violence is unflinching, although this film is PG-13, so it is not excessive. We only see the Frenchmen at the
end, but I imagine that this is how it would really be if we were fighting a war at sea. As I hinted before, the musical score
does not cover up the action in the film. Truthfully, the score is bland and unexciting, really not worth listening to again.
But it works so well with this film. It accompanies but doesn't outdo. If the music had been more grand I don't think the
film would have been as good. It would have been the wrong music for the film.
The
movie plays like a novel. When watching it one gets the feel of a 19th century novel, without much plot but a solid yet simple
story with real characters, real people. This is an epic, yet it isn't silly or overdone. It is simple and honest and plays
like a documentary from long ago, but without the documentary feel. Movies like this are made simply because the director
wants to make them. They are not out to make money or appease audiences. They are stories that want to be told, and because
of this these types of films are often the best films ever. This film is art, and it proves Mr. Weir an artist. It is not
slow, if you know what to pay attention to. Forget loud, obnoxious action sequences. Here you have a movie that matters. It
is a modern classic and will last for ages. It is magnificent on every level. It is also one of the few movies I think that
everyone should see before they die.
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