Castaway in an airport

Rating: 6/10 (24 September 2004)

'Terminal, The' is another encounter between Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. This time, Mr Hanks plays a tourist from western Europe who has to stay inside the airport of New York because his country of origin falls in a cruel Civil War and the government fall under the Revolutionary forces. So, in good International Law Terms, Mr. Viktor Navorski (the parsonage played by Hanks) is a completely 'not wanted' visitor in USA. Many reviews said that this movie is a kind of protest against the American intolerance against other nations of the world after the grievous events of September 11. And that would be the great idea of Spielberg: to make a popular and blockbuster movie that goes against the course of the political moment in USA. Maybe it's true but the force of the message - in this particular case - is not so evident or strong to make 'Terminal, The' a political movie. In fact, the movie resembled sometimes a bit like some Frank Capra classics. A simple-minded story with a simple-minded character involved, against his will, in a difficult and pathetic situation. In this way, Spielberg made a routine movie, with a competent although not brilliant story.
'Terminal, The' has a uneven narrative, with some good moments and some others not so compelling. The support cast gives great moments, especially the old janitor, he too a foreigner who came from India. But the love affair between Vicktor and Amelia, a beautiful steward (played without bright by Zeta-Jones) is far-fetched and just boring. Another problem is the character of Dixon, the Supervisor of the airport, played by Stanley Tucci. Although Tucci is a correct actor, his character is almost unreal in his insensibility and bureaucratic attitudes. 'Terminal, The' in my opinion is far from a masterpiece or even a movie that deserves a special attention. Tom Hanks, maybe the best American actor in activity, made the show like always. Now, he's a castaway imprisoned inside the walls of an international airport. But again he made us fly away with his rare talent.