One of the year's best; Hanks at the top of his game in this compelling true-life account thriller

Rating: 10/10 (11 October 2013)

CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (2013) **** Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Barkhad Abdirahman, Faysal Ahmed, Mahat M. Ali, Michael Chernus, Catherine Keener, David Warshofsky, Corey Johnson, Chris Mulkey, Yul Vazquez, Max Martini. Absorbing and compelling true-life account of the 2009 Somali pirate hijacking of the American container ship Maersk Alabama with Hanks (in top Oscar worthy form) as the titular skipper, Rich Phillips, who uses his wits and stamina against all odds in a fight for survival at any costs. Directed with white-knuckle taut tension by veteran helmsman Paul Greengrass who knows how to balance the action and drama deftly with skill and élan. The keenly observant screenplay by Billy Ray (based on Phillips' book) keeps one riveted in spite of the outcome already known (not too shabby a trick to pull off). Novice actor Abdi (a Somalian cum American) as the head of the quartet of attackers is equally of note come awards season that has a verisimilitude not seen since Dr. Hang S. Ngor's Oscar-winning work in THE KILLING FIELDS. One of the year's best films.