Spielberg, Hanks & Williams should have done better

Rating: 4/10 (29 June 2004)

When a project involves such giants as Spielberg and Hanks one would expect the best caliber from these two capable artists. What they've created instead is very average in many respects. The plot is forced and clumsy and the story doesn't wrap up in a satisfying way. This could have been a typical "comedy of errors" formula or a volley of wit vs. wit between Hanks' character and Stanley Tucci's. But there's only a hint of these traits. There's nothing inventive about the production, storytelling, or directing. Spielberg throws in the towel on this one. I don't believe Hanks as a doe-eyed lovable non-English-speaking punching bag who knows only enough English to be slightly funny. He's more creepy then lovable. There's nothing convincing in any of the relationships neither between Hanks and Catherine Zeta-Jones nor any secondary characters. The movie is more frustrating then anything. I don't believe that any normal human being caught in those situations would remain so meek for so long. And if anyone does then they deserve what they get. For me one of the biggest disappointment in this movie is John William's contribution. His decision to go small scale was good, but the music he wrote for this has no personality. If the creative team here were any other people I'd give this a 6 out of 10. But considering the quality of creators I give this a 4 out of 10.