When it comes to best-selling Hollywood film genres, one of the most successful and celebrated ones are war films with World War ll generally being the timeline that filmmakers often turn to in order to be successful both financially and critically. Whereas Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk served as being the last major World War ll film released in theaters, last year's 1917 directed by Sam Mendes managed to not only be a surprise success but switched things up with the story taking place during World War l. With Greyhound, the filmmakers revert back to the World War ll era with Tom Hanks not only acting in the film as the main lead but also trying his hand with penning the films script. Originally was supposed to be released theatrically on June 12, 2020 by Sony Pictures, the film was ultimately delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic with it being released for streaming through Apple TV+. It's a shame that Greyhound won't get its chance to play on the big screen as the film boasts some impressive action sequences with it ultimately serving as being a fast-paced World War ll thriller, that's powered by a commanding performance from Tom Hanks. Although it can be argued that the film leans more on the action side of it's story to thrill audiences rather than building up its main set of characters, the end result is a reasonably exciting and entertaining war thriller, that serves as being an honorable film adaptation of the classic novel that inspired the films story despite loosely being based on a real-life battle.
Based on C.S Forester's novel titled The Good Shepherd, the story centers around a newly commissioned US Navy commander (played by Tom Hanks) leading a destroyer in defending an Allied convoy crossing the Atlantic toward Europe in 1942, while being relentlessly pursued by several Nazi submarines. For lead actor and surprise writer Tom Hanks, the film serves as being the perfect economic vehicle to transfer from book to screen as it carries a strong foundation to allow for its audience to be thrilled by the stories action. Greyhound is a film that has the perfect packaging of being an effective World War ll thriller with it serving as being both exciting and thrilling with its tightly-paced story being almost enough to blanket some of the films glaring faults such as the lack of strong character development with Hanks character's crew. Many of the side characters often feel like fillers with them being given pedestrian dialogue to help move the story along rather than taking a life of their own. Hanks character is fairly well-established and given key moments where the audience becomes connected with his character such as the flashback showing his relationship with his girlfriend Evelyn (Who also feels like a pedestrian character with her only purpose being to advance Hanks character with giving the audience a glimpse of his personal life outside the Greyhound). There's no doubt in the audiences mind when watching the film that Hanks character is the main driving force of the story, as well as being the soul of the crew onboard his ship. His presence combined with the films tense atmosphere and thrilling action set-pieces are enough to deflect from the films glaring issues regarding both its lack of character development and plot elaboration. Greyhound despite its faults, works as being an intense and efficient World War ll drama that's serves as being fairly well-executed and put together with its intentions being honorable in showing commitment and bravery in the face of insurmountable odds.
Outside of the films stellar action sequences, the performances from the main cast succeed in bringing much realism and believability to the big screen. The acting for the most part is convincing with the story being powered by Tom Hanks strong and powerful performance as Ernest Krause, commanding officer of the USS Greyhound. Hanks as usual is terrific here with him delivering pure devotion to the role of a man being faced with an extraordinary circumstance. Hanks is no stranger to playing out this type of character arc with his performance being no different in leaving the same powerful mark in playing this role in comparison to some of his other previous works. Despite Elisabeth Shue's role feeling minimal, she manages to be effective in the role of playing Ernest's love interest Evelyn with her role being more aimed towards advancing Hank's character. Stephen Graham delivers a strong supporting performance as Krause's Lieutenant Commander and executive officer Charlie. Although his role isn't as meaty as Hanks, he manages to make the most of his part and leave a notable impression with audiences. The same can also be said for Rob Morgan as 2nd class Mess Attendant, George Cleveland with his character being shown to respect and look after Ernest with the latter carrying both a mutual respect and admiration towards. The cast for Greyhound work to do the absolute best jobs possible with the roles handed to them with everyone giving the genuine feeling, that they want to contribute towards telling a story that's both powerful and extraordinary. Out of all the performances, Hanks delivers the most noteworthy one with the film essentially being his show given his contribution both as the films lead actor and writer. Much of the film depends on his strength as an actor in regards to making the story work as effectively as it does with the audience feeling that had Hanks not have been the one in the films leading role, the end result most likely wouldn't have turned out as well as it does. One wishes that the rest of the cast was given more to do, particularly Elisabeth Shue's character.
The films directing by Aaron Schneider comes across as being well-crafted with the film being both fast and efficient in the excitement department. Schneider takes Hanks script and brings it to the big screen in a way that makes the story compelling for audiences, along with being an appealing one on a technical front. The films visual look is impressive with its cinematography, costume, and production design all meshing well together with placing audiences in the World War ll era. The cinematography stands out as being one of the more impressive technical elements of the film with the camera work brilliantly capturing the battles at sea between the war ships, along with the waves crashing against the hulls of the Greyhound. The fact that both the battle sequences as well as the shots of the sea were originally a green screen, makes them even more impressive and authentic given that the film was filmed without a single drop of water. The interior shots of the Greyhound are well-shot with the lighting being bright enough for the audience to see the inside of the ship with the use of red being cleverly utilized. The audience is given a genuine feeling of realism with how the story is filmed with them feeling as if they're at sea with these characters along with witnessing an intense game of cat-and-mouse unfold. The films editing gives the film a pace that feels both rapid and tight. The audience isn't given much time to catch their breath in between the films action set-pieces with the brief quiet moments being effectively used in giving the audience either character moments or information regarding the films plot. The score by Blake Neely is well used with it ultimately adding to the intensity of the films action sequences, along with enhancing the films quieter and emotional sequences. As good as the films directing and technological efforts show, there's nothing about what's done here that serves as being particularly groundbreaking but the end result still remains a thoroughly well-shot and executed film. The film is beautifully shot with Schneider paying close attention to detail in regards to giving the film an authentic 1940's look with the films production and costume design. In terms of the film being well-crafted, one points to Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk for a close resemblence with that film also carrying a relatively short running time and choosing to place the audience into the center of the action rather than deliver much character backstory or exposition. With Greyhound, Schneider aims for a similar approach with the audience getting immediately thrown into the action with few flashbacks showing Hanks characters life outside the Greyhound with the main focus being on giving the audience the experience of being at sea with these characters in an extraordinary situation, which ultimately proved to be one of the main turning points of the Battle of the Atlantic. In that regard, the directing by Aaron Schneider works extremely well with him using CGI as a tool to further move the story along rather than relying on it to make up for the shortcomings of the films script.
In terms of the films writing, the work put into the script for Greyhound by Tom Hanks is a surprisingly solid effort with him giving audiences historical facts not only regarding the story, but key words as well as procedures with how operating a Navy ship works. Hanks keeps the main focus of the plot on his characters experience with commanding the Greyhound along with him setting up key characters and subplots in an effort to humanize those on the ship. An interesting subplot that serves as being both interesting, as well as effective is the relationship between Hanks character Ernest and the ships mess attendant Rob. The film places emphasis on key moments involving Robs character in which he tries to help keep Hanks character balanced in terms of leading his ship, along with remaining both sharp and alert by eating his meals and drinking his coffee. While their friendship is a small subplot in the films overall story, it's an interesting one that shows both the loyalty and respect that those on the ship have towards Hanks character with the audience later being angered by the fate of his character during one of the ships confrontation with the Nazis. The rest of the characters are given pedestrian dialogue with little moments of being fleshed out compared to the amount that Hanks character gets. Not only is Ernest's relationship revealed with flashbacks, he has key moments that define his character such as him praying with his men before a major battle scene along with him still acting as Captain after getting his feet cut by broken glass and bleeding around the bridge for his men to take notice. These scenes are effective because it allows the audience to understand the character of Ernest, as well as showing the strength and determination he has in carrying out his orders. While Hanks character is well-established as someone whom the audience can connect with, the same can't be said about the rest of the cast who feel one-dimensional with their only sole purpose being to move the story along. In terms of narrative and story-structure, Greyhound remains focused from start to finish with the battle being the main focus with the characters coming in second. The screenplays strongest aspect lies within the films desire to be as historically accurate as possible in presenting its story. While the film, as entertaining and thrilling as its story presents itself to be, may feel a bit lacking in the plot and character department to audiences who aren't war buffs or knowledgeable of the films main event, those who are history buffs or appreciate war stories brought to film will find enough presented on screen to make for a sufficient movie watching experience.
As entertaining and engaging that Greyhound ends up being when all is said and done, the film isn't without its shortcomings in the scriptwriting department despite Hanks putting in a strong effort overall in bringing the films historical event to the big screen. While audiences may struggle in finding characters to connect with besides Hanks, they will be thrilled by the films action and fast-paced energy. Greyhound isn't anything that audiences haven't seen before in the war genre, but the film still manages to deliver in terms of spectacle with a compelling story driving it along with enough historical context to please its main target audience along with a towering performance from Tom Hanks in the films main lead. Like Dunkirk, Greyhound is more about giving audiences the experience of being in the moment rather than being an elaborate piece of storytelling. While the film may leave a bit to be desired on both the character and story front, the strength of the films visual elements, combined with the performances of its main actors and noble-intentions of its filmmakers, are enough to make it worth watching and ultimately recommending. Greyhound works best as being an entertaining spectacle that's affectionately told, visually thrilling to watch, and powered by the strong presence of its main star in the films main role. It's a shame that this one won't get a chance to shine on the big screen as both its visual and sound effects were designed for such an experience. For Tom Hanks acting as the main star and screenwriter of the film, one is impressed with the effort he brings to the story with audiences hoping that he continues to explore his capabilities as a filmmaker behind the camera in addition to being a phenomenal actor. Greyhound stands as being one of the stronger film efforts of 2020.
Final Verdict: For moviegoers looking for both engaging and compelling drama, Greyhound is a must see World War ll thriller that does its source material justice while remaining faithful to history.
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