The Perfect Storm

It is inescapable fact that it is very difficult to take real-life events and translate them into an interesting and thrilling movie. Ron Howard perfected the art with "Apollo 13" and now Wolfgang Petersen continues on with "The Perfect Storm".

This story of Gloucester, MA. fishermen who go out for one last try at a big payoff in a slumping season packs quite a wollup once they get caught up in an event that had never before been recorded: the perfect storm. From there, you have to suspend belief just a bit and drink in the events occurring aboard the Andrea Gail. It's not tough, as the cast delivers them perfectly.

George Clooney may have played his signature role as Capt. Billy Tyne, skipper of the ill-fated Andrea Gail on that fateful day in 1991. Clooney comes off as neither overly glamorous, or bigger than life, but as a simple common man just trying to break his fishing slump and bring home a big payday for his boss, his crew, and himself. When George relaxes and puts himself into a role, he is better off, and Capt. Tyne is the pinnacle of that for him.

Mark Wahlberg comes on board as Bobby Shatford, a rookie fisherman who is trying to make a better life for himself and his girlfriend Chris (nicely played by Diane Lane). Bobby is the only character given equal depth to Billy and comes off with the same impression: a good guy who was trying hard to make a better life. Very nicely done here as well.

Supporting cast is good, John C. Reilly as Dale "Murph" Murphy, William Fichtner as David "Sully" Sullivan, a late arrival to the Andrea Gail's crew, Michael Ironside as the profit first Bob Brown. All of these stellar characterizations and serve brilliantly to put you into Gloucester of 1991.

Wolfgang Petersen has created a gripping film, full of chillingly realistic special effects. He skillfully took Sebastian Junger's novel and tweaked it to fit the confines of the motion picture screen. Casting and acting by all involved was perfect and you never once feel like anything is overacted or overly dramatic, just that you are somehow involved with the fear that had to have been involved on that night.

4 1/2 out of 5

Having survived (barely, on land) the "No Name Storm" of 1991 on the coast of New England, I assure you this was a true story (I'm mentioning this for the New Zealand poster who said it was adapted from a novel and others who may not realize it really was a *true* story). Obviously, we can't know what was actually said or done once the Andrea Gail lost radio contact (and isn't that true of any movie based on "historical fact" - we can only surmise the actual dialog and conversations that may have taken place). However, the characters were based on the actual crew members and the Coast Guard did have to ditch one helicopter during the storm - from a story I read in People magazine, I'd say the portrayal of the Coast Guard's actions were accurate. I can't say I liked this movie - perhaps remembering the terror of that night (I lived in a seaside town and the ocean had come over the seawall and was filling up streets 3 and 4 blocks in from the beach) makes it difficult for me to watch this movie as entertainment. In answer to one post here, Clooney said that the Boston accent is one of the most difficult and he didn't even want to attempt it - Markie Mark is from Boston so it wasn't a stretch for him. The special effects are phenomenal of course...I just wish it had a different ending. By the way, the statue of the fisherman at the ship wheel shown at the beginning of the movie is an actual Gloucester landmark (and you can see it on Gorton frozen seafood products which come from Gloucester) - the legend on the base of the monument says, "Those that go down to the sea in ships..."

A beautifully sad story. I remember seeing the DVD cover at the video rental store when I was a child. Good times.

As many of the comments say, it's just a movie and, in the end, it doesn't accurately portray the reality of events.

Well, I don't know, I wasn't there, but we know that movies are dramatic and that's one of the reasons we love them so much.

The actors are excellent! Big names with decent performances. I remember wanting to see the film when I was a kid, but I never rented it.

However, I recently watched it on Max and regretted not having done so sooner. It's a good movie, give it a chance.

Directed by Wolfgang Petersen based on a true story about the Andrea Gail, a fishing vessel that in October 1991 left the port of Gloucester, Massachusetts, never to be seen again, lost in a terrible storm.

When a film says "based on true events", we always have to take into account certain creative freedoms for cinematographic effects, but in this case I won't even worry about that. This is a dramatization of a terrible event that could very well be (and will continue to be, unfortunately) the story of any fishing vessel anywhere in the world. It is a tribute to the men of the sea and the hardships they have to face in order to earn a living and survive, while bringing food to those of us on land.

That's what I love about movies: I've been with those men at sea, on their boat, I've fished with them, I've felt the joy and excitement of really productive fishing, and the camaraderie that forms when battling the odds of bad weather. I was also with the team of Coast Guard rescuers who risk their lives to save others, the work of true heroes.

The film is very atmospheric (pun not intended) and a great homage, very beautiful and felt. Thank you to everyone who was part of this production and tribute. Nominated for the Academy Awards for Best Sound and Best Visual Effects. BAFTA Winner for Best Visual Effects.

It was slow at first, but the second time I saw it, it meant more to me because I knew what was going to happen to the characters. My fiance and son went to see it with me, and they kept asking me if I was ok, because I was crying like a baby. You dont get much character background, but once the boys get out to sea, you feel as you get to know them better. You can tell Billy Tyne truly loved being on the sea. It was his home. George Clooney did a phenominal job portraying this character. The rest of the cast put some great emotions into their parts. Mark Wahlberg, formerly Marky-mark, has grown up into a wonderfully talented actor. You really get the feeling that this was a close knit fishing town, and you feel like you are a part of that town.

Give this movie a shot, you may find you like it, despite what the critics say. They dont usually know dick anyway.. =D