Welcome to the United States of America

Rating: 8/10 (18 January 2006)

"The Terminal" refers to the JFK International Arrivals terminal in NYC. Tom Hanks (Victor Navorski) arrives at the beginning of the film from the fictional east European country of Krakosia. Unfortunately for him, while he was in the air, Krakosia underwent a coup and his passport is no longer valid for entry into the US. He is a "man without a country."
Victor speaks little English, and is denied entry into the US. He is told to "wait" in the International Arrivals terminal until it can be straightened out. Again, unfortunately for Victor, this will take many months, and he must learn to live in, and survive in, an airport terminal.
Needless to say, all those among us who have suffered through flight delays and cancellations can relate to Victor's problems. At least when I get stuck in an airport, though, I can speak the language.
I could give you a little more plot, but frankly, you already have most of it. You don't need much more information to get the messages here. Those would be:
1. Sometimes you have to wait for what you want. Victor is a very patient guy. Catherine Zeta-Jones (Amelia Warren, perpetually single flight attendant), not so much. He's a better person for his patience. She has waited forever for her married lover, but will never get what she wants. And she is decidedly unsettled and unhappy as a result.
2. Sometimes you have to forget the rules, stop being a bureaucrat, and think about the people and the lives you touch. Victor knows this. And we can learn something from him.
Tom Hanks is the new Jimmie Stewart. He is literally "everyman." As an actor, he conveys more emotion in a foreign language than most actors with a full vocabulary and a convincing script. Of course, he has done this before. In CastAway he doesn't even speak for most of the film. But he conveys every conceivable emotion, every conceivable thought, all non-verbally. He is one of the most gifted actors you will see.
Steven Spielberg is not particularly well known for making films like "The Terminal." There's no eye popping special effects. There's no ghosts, no sharks, no evil forces. It's basically Tom Hanks and the "interminal" waiting we all do. Not typical, but very well done.