Captain Phillips

Though the attendance was minimal for the film Captain Phillips, the discussion was lively. When questioned about a rating for the film, the responses ranged from 2 to 5 (out of 5). The rationale offered for the lower rating was because there was no “suspension of disbelief” – no intense involvement in the action of the film. Interestingly, the reason offered for giving the high rating of 5, was because the viewers did experience an intense involvement in the action of the film. This disparity of opinion led to a further discussion concerning why the film appealed to some, but not others. 

Tom Hanks portrays the captain of a commercial ship taken over by pirates off the coast of Africa. It is based on a true story, and therefore provides interesting information about the plight of crews traveling in ships in dangerous waters. While pirates are a threat to the safety of commercial ships, the ships are only equipped with minimal defensive capability -- and no fire power. Jet-streams of water, used to sink the small pirate ships as the men try to board, is their only defense. 

When the American navy comes to the rescue of Tom Hanks (aka Captain Phillips), one wonders if it wouldn’t be better to provide a couple of armed guards for every ship, rather than spend millions of dollars to recover ships and crew held ransom by pirates. The American navy coming to the rescue, creates a situation akin to using a bomb to kill a mosquito. An amazing amount of firepower utilized by the US to fix a problem which should never have occurred in the first place. 

Since I have a friend who travels the open seas in commercial ships, I was drawn to this film to try to understand the life and the dangers he must face daily. However, I personally found the acting, directing, photography and screenplay lacking in this production. The film just wasn’t as good as it could have been, considering the main actor of the film (Tom Hanks). However, this is my opinion, not that of my companions. 

When all is said and done…. it is an interesting film which provides information about a problematic situation experience by crews on commercial ships worldwide. Ships and their crew are vulnerable to being boarded by pirates. Which begs the question… shouldn’t there be safeguards in place to protect the crew on commercial ships? Shouldn’t there be a plan in place to prevent this life threatening situation? Instead we are shown how the Navy is called in after the crisis has occurred; a situation akin to shutting the barn door after the horse has bolted!