Bernard "Bernie" Webber was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard stationed in Chatham, Massachusetts. When his commanding officer instructed him to take a 36 foot life boat out into open water during a Nor' Easter, he knew it was suicide. However, he and 3 other members set out to find the stern of the T-2 Oil Tanker Pendleton, one of two tankers that split in half during the dangerous storm. With the canopy, windshield and compass torn off by the dangerous waves, they had little chance of making a successful rescue.
While based on real life events, Disney took some liberties with the story. For example, they wove a nice little love story into the film as Miriam, Bernie's newly minted fiancé, fights with his commanding officer to bring Bernie home, while in real life Bernie and Miriam were already married and she was home, sick in bed barely aware of the dangerous situation her husband was in. Also, the one life unfortunately lost, "Tiny", was actually the last member of the crew to leave the sinking ship but in the movie he was half way through those being rescued. This was done purposefully to make a more dramatic and meaningful scene.
I thought Disney did a great job of casting the film and was surprised by Chris Pine's (Star Trek) performance. I'm used to see him playing the cocky, sure of himself, ladies' man, but this time he portrayed a shy, insecure young man afraid to break the rules (for the most part). I thought Casey Affleck (Interstellar), as the Pendleton's engineer Ray Sybert, was terrific and Holliday Granger (The Borgias) was a little spit fire as Bernie's love interest, Miriam.
The special effects team did a great job depicting the broken tanker, giving us glimpses into the dark and deep, mangled hull of the ship. The 3D was also well done, immersing the audience in the blinding snow and massive swells of the storm. There were times I felt overwhelmed by the sea and mildly confused as to what I was watching, but those moments were minimal. I also had flashbacks a few times to a similar film, The Perfect Storm, as I watched the small ship battle to crest the waves barreling down upon them.
The Finest Hours had a little bit of something for everyone - from a love story to suspense and intensity to some action sequences taking place on the open seas. And, while I still wonder what the title has to do with the overall story, I found the intensity of the movie gripping more than once during the two hours. However, for all its Disney "schmaltz" and engaging story, I walked away feeling there was more to tell that had been left out. The Finest Hours could have been more uplifting and inspiring than it ended up being, which, in the end, was a little disappointing.
Grade: C+
