A tragedy where everyone is just fulfilling his duties

Rating: 8/10 (28 October 2013)

I went to see this first because it was based on a true story and second because of Tom Hanks. It turned out to be much beyond my expectations and I highly recommend this to all of us who are working hard and wondering if we are doing the right thing.
The film opened Captain Philips's routine preparation for his next voyage: gathering his documents, family photo and driving to the airport with his wife. While I had thought about being a seamen when I was young, watching these routine check made me wonder how dramatic this can be. But as soon as the drill began, I held my breath. How could the pirates, though armed, in a small speed boat board such a huge cargo carrier? And once they were on board, what could they do to take control? You really have to see it to believe it.
In a way it was like a war movie but our general was a kind and unarmed Samaritan and the seamen were doing what they could think of to protect themselves and their ship. But the meaning it portrays go much further than that.
This film can be seen from a few levels: on the surface, it is a pirate story. It chronically describes the hijack and kidnap as it unfolds and we follow all the tension. I sweat with the crew members on board and cheered when the Captain seemed to strike a deal with them. But the escape was narrow and soon we began to worry about the captain, and even the pirates onboard. The cinematography and visual effects is so stunning that you might feel like floating at sea.
On a second level, I start to wonder why the pirates act the way they do. What have happened in their lives to push them on this road of no return? They only want to go to New York and lead a better life. Why don't they go home with minimum returns and we just record one more kidnap case? And then we just steer away from the dangerous zone? But if we do that what kind of message are we sending to their relatives and their bosses? Their mother ship was a Taiwan boat they kidnapped last year so it seems they are aiming higher this round. What should shipping companies and marine ministries do with this situation?
On another level, I begin to look at the whole issue from a humanitarian level. Yes, the US Navy is strong and the SEALs are great heroes. With their tactics, equipment and manpower, it will be a sure win. Yes piratical activities should be condemned. But who are we to decide to shoot the pirates dead on the spot? Who are we to decide to fool them lock them up in our country when these activities happened in international waters? Do we realize that it is our excessive catching fish that drives their livelihood to desperation, then coupled with their political situation that they have been forced to do things beyond their control? They are, like us, only doing their job. And now we are wiping them out for the second time. Is there other ways out? I am looking forward to watching the documentary "The Smiling Pirate" which tells the story from pirate Muse's angle. He was ready for a negotiation when he was captured.
The accuracy of the film to reality aside, Tom Hanks is excellent as usual. At the beginning of the voyage, he strikes us as a cool-headed leader: calm, prepared, witty and responsible. Then his confidence and trust may have caused him trapped. After days of claustrophobic interaction with the pirates, he finally broke down when he realized that his life is in danger even though help has come. When the military help edging in, he was in conflict with himself – he knew he would be saved and he felt sorry for these innocent people but there was nothing he could do. Tom displayed all these different emotions brilliantly and I was on the verge of crying together with him for his helplessness even after he was saved. It would not be a big surprise if he takes the next Oscar again.
Excellent directing in tension building which was enhanced by the background music, tight shots and occasional shaky camera work. But the way it makes us think what kind of world we are living in is the most impressive element of this thriller. Highly recommended.