The Terminal-- Fabulous!

Rating: Null/10 (12 September 2004)

*This review contains no specific spoilers or citations from the movie itself, but does deal directly with the plot.*
The Terminal is a fantastic movie. However, it may not be the movie for everyone. It is more a "film" than a "movie," as a movie is recognized now.
A movie usually has an identifiable (and frequently, a "canned") plot, wherein characters' behavior is dictated by the plot. For example, in a romance movie, the plot dictates that the characters WILL love each other by the end of the movie, no matter what monumental disagreements, tragic difficulties, or fundamental incompatibilities they must overcome in order to do so.
The Terminal, on the other hand, does not necessarily have a true plot. Oh, if you ask an unenlightened viewer what the plot of the whole movie is, you might be told, "Viktor was stuck in a terminal. He wanted to go home." But that's really NOT the point of the movie. The Terminal comes from a completely different genre of film-- one in which the point is not to present a complicated plot to entertain the short-attention-span audience, but to tell a story. In this case, it tells the stories not only of Viktor but also of the people he meets and interacts with in the terminal.
Without writing a whole paper on the movie-- which I could do very easily-- I will instead just point out again that this isn't necessarily the movie for everyone. On the one hand, I did find it very entertaining, and humor abounds. But if you're expecting a flashy, intricate plot, you probably won't appreciate it for the gem it really is.
I now randomly insert a general rule of thumb for judging movie taste: If you hate reading *literature* (note the difference between a shallow standard-issue novel and actual meaningful literature), then you're a MOVIE person. If you've ever read a "real" book, and understood it or appreciated its purpose, then you might enjoy in-depth FILMS.
For those who appreciate works of art, for those of you who fit into the second category listed above, read on.
Now, back to The Terminal to conclude: the actors, especially Tom Hanks' performance, are brilliant. The writing is beautiful and is very satisfying in that things do not always happen as you might expect. John Williams has done his usual superlative job of creating the perfect mood with his music. All in all, this is, as I have said, a true gem. I will be buying the DVD the instant it comes out, and it will hold a place of esteem on my own personal Top Ten.
IT IS INCREDIBLE!!!