Exuberent Sea Escapade in a virtuoso film. Review on Master and Commander Movie

Courage is like love; it must have hope for nourishment. - Napoleon Bonaparte

You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor. - James L Allen.

Introduction

“Dead Poets Society” has always been one of my favorite movies. It was so influential that I formed a “Dead Quizzers Society”, together with my co-workers in one of my previous abodes. I was equally impressed by “Green Card” (Nala Damayanthi in Tamil for you) and “The Truman Show”. When a director of the caliber of Peter Weir comes up with one of the most treasured pieces of adventurous epic in the form of a movie, what would come of me, if I were to miss it. Peter Weir is known to have pulled of so many wondrous pictures in the past. This plus the first installment of the 20 novels by Pat O’Brian (The title is the merger of Novel 1 & Novel 10), and the cocky, yet a true maestro in the form of Russell Crowe (he has earned an academy nomination again), made me to pay my tribute in the form of $8.50.

What I saw for the next 139 minutes was some kind of an epic. I was amazed by the picturisation of the novel by the master Peter Weir and the acting by Jack Aubrey, err... Russell Crowe. What did I see; here it comes in the form of a review

Master and Commander - The Far Side of the World - The Review

This picture is based on one of the most treasured action novels written by Pat O’Brian centered on the Anglo-French wars during the Napoleonic Era. The control of the High Seas was up for grabs after the little corporal took over L’Francaise. The maestro Weir has recreated the British Navy Frigate in a sense it was during 1805, when Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) was the captain of the ship HMS Surprise. Aubrey is a man of vigorous action in pursuit of French ships, especially the Acheron. He has a company in the form of a surgeon Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany: - Crowe’s imaginary Princeton room-mate in A Beautiful Mind), who is an intellectual and a contemplative surgeon who wants to do biological research. The movie centers about these two colorful characters. The viewers are left to wonder if they are friends or foes at times, as was the case with the novels. Maturin, who joins the mighty navy in hopes of learning biology, is at odds ends with Aubrey at times. Aubrey’s sole goal is to find and destroy the French ships at the earliest.

Almost the entire movie takes place aboard the “HMS Surprise” that is encountered by a bigger and mightier French ship, “Acheron”. Using the same locales used for the Titanic, this movie has two major, yet tremendous fighting scenes created by Peter Weir. Most of the film is about the living conditions in the small ship, the years of living dangerously(a Peter Weir film  ) by the courageous crew and the drama unfolding between the Surgeon and the Captain who play Violin and Cello Concertos at times, the bonding developing between the officers and mates in the ship. The Acheron’s mighty follow-up around the South American coast. The troubles and pains of war are done in grandly vivacious, vivid visuals. Peter Weir has done Pat O’Brian Proud.

For what happens at last, please watch it at the theatre.

My Analysis

Acting

Russell Crowe (Lucky Jack Aubrey) - Another Oscar nomination is all but a formality for his role in this movie. Russell Crowe has become Lucky Jack, just like he so easily becomes in all his movies. With the task master Peter Weir at work, he has put in his best for the role of Jack. If the box offices respond to this tremendous epic, you will see another epic sea battle. Crowe, who put in 55 pounds for “The Insider”, has given a stellar performance as a courageous captain. He has conjured up the best act one can do as the epic hero Jack Aubrey. He has depicted the role of a vividly vivacious victor, as a leader. He has depicted the leadership skills one would expect as an apprentice of Lord Horatio Nelson. His acting is simply wonderful.

Paul Bettany (Stephen Maturin) - Though his role was limited in “A Beautiful Mind”, Bettany gets the recognition due for him as Dr.Stephen Maturin here. Another great performance amidst masters of historic film-making, he has done a tremendous job here. His facial expressions during the open-cranial surgery with a coin are simply outstanding.

Acting by all others is noteworthy.

Direction

Peter Weir has pulled out another gem. He has recreated an 1805 ship with such accuracy and details, based on the novels and historical information, which you are taken back to 1805 for 139 minutes. He has also created an epic in almost a verbatim fashion (so I hear and read). His passion for human emotions and drama than action is very visible, which can be a negative point for this movie, especially for action lovers. As far as I am concerned, this is tremendous direction. He may become another Ridley Scott, when it comes to Oscars (get nominated, yet overlooked).

Picturisation of Galapagos Islands is simply exceptional. By becoming the first film to do so, he has beautifully picturised the cradle of evolution.

Original Music by Klaus Badelt, Iva Davies, Christopher Gordon, Richard Tognetti & Brian Tyler, Cinematography by Russell Boyd, Film Editing by Lee Smith, Art Direction by Bruce Crone & Mark W. Mansbridge , Set Decoration by Robert Gould, Costume Design by Wendy Stites is also very good.

Conclusion

If you ask for my 2 cents, please go and watch this movie at the earliest. If you like only action, this movie may be a let down. If you liked Dead Poets Society, Truman Show, The Insider, A Beautiful Mind, Forrest Gump and all, this movie is for you. If you liked Terminator 1, Mad Max, Rambo et al, this is not the movie. You may not see as much action as “Pirates of the Caribbean” or see a Keira Knightley in this movie, yet see a masterful epic as a film.

My recommendation is that “Master & Commander” is a must go movie

I Hope you liked my review. Please do comment as time permits.

KALIL

This is courage in a man: to bear unflinchingly what heaven sends. - Euripides

The eye sees what it brings the power to see. -- Thomas Carlyle