Endearing. Spielberg scores again!

Rating: 8/10 (20 June 2004)

`Welcome to America, almost'
That is the line uttered by Frank Dixon (Stanley Tucci) to the recently arrived Victor Navorski (Tom Hanks) in Steve Speilberg's new film The Terminal.
The film, set almost entirely in a New York airport, tells the story of Victor's attempts to gain entry to America after his European nation goes to war while in transit leaving him without a recognized country or visa required to enter Stateside. Standing in his way is the incredibly self-serving Frank Dixon who wants nothing more than for Victor to leave the airport, thus leaving him in the hands of federal officials. But as days pass without Victor taking various bait as laid by the airport brass, Frank's nemesis becomes his crusade and to the bitter end he is determined not to let Victor get the better of the unfriendly rules and regulations he strictly enforces.
As days turn into weeks, Victor befriends various workers within the terminal including an Indian man who enjoys over-waxing floors to watch travelers slip to his amusement and a young airport employee that trades Victor food for information on a young INS agent he has intentions of asking out. Victor soon uses these friendships to his advantage after meeting a beautiful flight attendant named Amelia (Catherine Zeta-Jones) who is self-admittedly bad with men and looks to use Victor as a stop over conversation aide to hide her grief in her own decision making abilities.

Under the watchful eyes of the airport cameras, Frank watches some of these events unfold including Victor's luck at getting a contract job with an airport renovating crew. Not knowing how to rid himself of Victor's reluctance to leave, Frank does everything from threaten those that are closest to Victor to overtly lying to Victor giving him a false impression that no persecution will occur if he leaves the airport at a certain time of day.
Directed by Steven Spielberg based on a screenplay written by Sacha Gervasi and Jeff Nathanson (Catch Me If You Can), The Terminal is one of those wonderful films that requires you to suspend belief in a situation too unbelievable to be true, but too magical to be ignored. Tom Hanks is particularly believable as he puts on his Meryl Streep hat and nails an accent that if not handled properly could have been if not embarrassing, definitely distracting. By mixing his new linguistic talent with stereotypical European hand gestures, Hanks is endearing and completely engrossed in the role of a foreigner that goes through an incredible transformation including using his time in the airport to learn how to read, speak and understand the English language.
But as a perfect compliment to Hanks tenderness and naivety is the evil Tucci who in terms of Spielberg films, outdoes even Ralph Fiennes in Schindler's List and Danny Glover in The Color Purple as the most cruel and ruthless villain that he has ever tried to put on screen. Tucci as Frank never waivers from his intentions and his tunnel vision geared towards what he hopes to be an inevitable and well-deserved promotion. It has been a long time since I have watched a film and actually hated a character for their actions towards an innocent bystander, but Tucci delivers a knockout punch that should be reviewed again when nominations for little gold statues come out later this year.
I did make a mistake before seeing The Terminal in that I read other reviews before actually previewing the movie myself. Although most reviews have been more than favorable, local papers designated the story as unbelievable' and therefore underwritten'. Huh? A movie brought to you by the same director who has endeared us with dinosaurs and aliens has made a story that is insupposable? The notion of a man living inside a terminal for months is possible and then should be based in a more realistic situation? Pleee-eazze! What is more believable than a man looks to fulfill a journey as set out by his father (I have to leave this one in an enigma to hide what is really a touching reveal and ending to the film)?

The Terminal is another notch for the belt that is Speilberg's legacy. Sure, the brilliant films of Schindler's List, Jaws and Saving Private Ryan are arguably better, but if Stevie decides he wants to spend the rest of his life making 4 to 4 ½ star movies then the movie going public should continue to bow in thanks for all his contributions.
A strong recommendation is therefore granted and a longing for Spielberg's next attempt at celluloid. For any director than can keep us in a movie theatre for two hours making us yearn to stay in an airport terminal longer is a craftsman of remarkable talent.
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