Why "Greyhound" with Tom Hanks is good - an emotional film about the war

The story of one voyage

During World War II, Captain Ernest Krause takes command of the US Navy destroyer Greyhound. On the first voyage, where he accompanies merchant ships, German submarines are trying to attack the convoy. The team has to confront the superior forces of the enemy.

Of course, Americans love to make movies about World War II. In particular, about battles at sea. As recently as 2019, Roland Emmerich's film "Midway" was released, dedicated to the famous battle. But "Greyhound" allows you to look at events from a slightly different angle.

He does not aim at globality and heroism, for which domestic viewers criticize Western cinema (often quite deservedly). This film is not about a major victory or the turning points of a war. "Greyhound" tells about only one voyage of one ship.

This approach allows you to make the story more realistic and human: several main characters, one storyline. But at the same time, incredible emotionality.

Large-scale scenes and chamber setting

Of course, the main characters will have to take part in the battle. But still, the emphasis is placed more directly on the crew of the ship. The enemy appears here only in the distance, or even on the radio, and the activities and experiences of the team come to the fore.

This approach seems more plausible. It was really necessary to fight submarines blindly, focusing only on the readings of the instruments. And the effectiveness of hitting bombs was understood only by spots on the water and floating debris. This applies even more to night battles: it is difficult to track down enemies in the dark, but it is easy to open fire on your own.

And yet, in some moments, the film shows really large-scale scenes. One can argue how well the special effects are worked out: 50 million dollars were invested in the picture - two times less than that of the aforementioned "Midway". At the same time, the large screen is sometimes very lacking. For example, the moment where a destroyer is sailing close to a huge ship simply requires a good picture and cool sound.

Most of the action takes place exclusively on the ship, and it is in the interior. The crew is faced with many problems that are rarely talked about in action films.

For example, it is difficult for koku to cook hot food because of the rolling. During the pursuit of a submarine, the window janitor may simply freeze, and the captain will find it uncomfortable to look ahead. Devices break, sailors catch cold and sneeze. Dozens of such small details create a lively environment and help to feel all the difficulties of a marine life.

An unprepared viewer can be tired only by the abundance of slang. But here the authors had to choose - to indulge in simplicity or try to convey what was happening believable.

Constant problem of choice

The plot of the film allows you to look at the war from another unexpected point of view. Krause not only has to fight enemies. He still has to make choices all the time.

Indeed, many, for example, forget that during a war it is necessary not only to sink the enemy's submarine, but also to obtain evidence of the destruction of the target. The captain must decide whether to comply with the formalities or try to keep up with other ships. And then the choice becomes even more difficult. Rescuing people from a sinking ship or protecting another ship from attack? The safety of your team or helping your teammates?

Perhaps moments like this best show the horror of the war. After all, even the most noble people have to give up something and sacrifice something.

Tom Hanks onscreen and offscreen

Still, the emotional component of Greyhound, and indeed the appeal of this film, rests primarily on the leading actor. Tom Hanks literally in any way is able to show interesting details that turn a character into a living person. And here he also worked on the script. So the talent of the actor is revealed to the fullest.

Ernest Krause is a true professional with a great flair. Perhaps he even seems too experienced for the first voyage. But at the same time, the tough captain, after defeating the enemy, may simply forget to take off his helmet and it is ridiculous to walk in it until he is reminded.

He loses his appetite due to excitement, often prays. And he also confuses the names of his subordinates: the team did not have time to get used to it enough.

Such small features are often lacking in the brave military in the cinema: small mistakes, doubts, excitement. And it is they who make you worry about the hero exactly as a person. After all, he understands that he did not just sink an enemy submarine. He just killed 50 people.

The rest of the characters act as a background only. The film is quickly becoming a one-man theater. And it's good that Hanks is able to pull the whole action on himself.

"Greyhound" is not the brightest picture in terms of action. There were even too many blockbusters about WWII. However, such simple plots, where the main villain is the war itself, are useful and necessary. They do not cause controversy, which country has invested more in the victory, but simply show that it was hard and scary for everyone.