The Finest Hours

Dir: Craig Gillespie

2016

***

The Finest Hours tells the true story of an amazing coast-guard rescue that took place during a cold wet February in 1952. Bernard C. Webber, a United States Coast Guardsman was just a petty officer on Feb 18, 1952 when he was asked to brave a particularly savage storm and look for survivors of the SS Pendleton, an oil tanker that had being ripped in half in the high-seas of the coast of Chatham, Massachusetts. Most of the senior coast-guards were already out on call to look for survivors of another ship that had been ripped in half in a bizarre and tragic coincidence. Webber was asked to go out even though he was considered inexperienced by his colleagues, he was accompanied by volunteers; Engineman Third class Andrew Fitzgerald, and Seaman Richard Livesey and Ervin Maske. Their heroic actions are still remembered today as being one of the most gallant and brave in the history of Sea rescue. The film itself is based on the book The Finest Hours: The True Story of the U.S. Coast Guard's Most Daring Sea Rescue by Michael J. Tougias and Casey Sherman. The writers used history journals and interviews they recorded with survivors in order to tell the story as clearly as possible and the adaptation sticks to the truth with only slight deviation. There is plenty of schmaltz to be had, not everything in the film happened on that said day, certain characters didn't exist and Webber didn't look like Chris Pine but for a big Disney production it's fairly reliable. It's an amazing story without the need for sweetener or exaggeration and the performances are stronger than the extremely impressive special effects. This is the first film in which I've really liked Chris Pine's performance, Casey Affleck is the next big name on the roster - he is good as always but the supporting cast are also very strong and make the film. I really like Craig Gillespie, he's been attached to some rather odd films in the last few years and The Finest Hours really didn't strike me as the sort of film that would suit his abilities but I was wrong to doubt him. He proves that he is a multi-skilled director and rather great one at that and it's no surprise he seems to be on high on the studio's want list. It's exciting, full of suspense and gives credit it where it is due without interference. The inclusion of photos of those involved during the final credits was a nice touch and it is clear to see that they took great effort to give a true portrayal of everyone involved which is always appreciated.