Delightful, Heartwarming Entertainment

Rating: 9/10 (22 September 2004)

"The Terminal" is one of those films that anyone could enjoy: it has lovable characters, funny, cordial dialogue, and exuberant music, and it is a wonderful piece of entertainment for what it's worth. Tom Hanks is once again outstanding, boasting an accent so convincing that you literally forget it is Tom Hanks! His character, an immigrant from Kreckozia (or whatever it's called)is about as whimsical and delightful as characters come: he is simple (not too abstract), credible (in his dealing with the predicament he finds himself in), and laudible (his emotions are real, his happiness is real, everything he does is completely genuine). This is such a fascinating, if lamentable story: a man becomes stranded in an airport due to the termination of his home country which nullifies his legal residence anywhere, who ventures throughout the terminal trying to lead a normal, busy existence, while making friends and occupying himself. And what an execution! This is funny, genial, and amusing entertainment, featuring practically every element to contrive a delightful, hearty story. My only major complaint is the romance between Hanks and Zeta-Jones, which becomes overwrought as well as redundant towards the end. Overall, an interesting, delightful, and heartwarming film that reminds us that the greatest of things can be discovered in the most unlikeliest of places: in this case, a wonderful film, set inside an airport! ***1/2 out of ****