See it at the Movies

THE FINEST HOURS

with Joyce & Don Fowler
Posted 2/4/16

* * * ½

(True sea rescue tale)

Based on the true story of a daring sea rescue off Cape Cod in 1952, “The Finest Hours” splits its time between sea adventure and soap opera.

Chris Pine …

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See it at the Movies

THE FINEST HOURS

Posted

* * * ½

(True sea rescue tale)

Based on the true story of a daring sea rescue off Cape Cod in 1952, “The Finest Hours” splits its time between sea adventure and soap opera.

Chris Pine plays Bernie Webber, a young, inexperienced Coast Guard member who is ordered to lead a group of equally young, inexperienced men into a major storm to rescue men on board a sinking oil tanker.

We first meet Webber in the quaint village of Wellfleet, where he experiences love at first sight a moment equally shared by Miriam (Holliday Grainger), an aggressive young lady who quickly asks him to marry her. Poor Webber is a bit overwhelmed by not only the marriage proposal but his orders to venture out in a massive storm, risking his life and the lives of his men, while the more experienced sailors sit comfortably back at the Coast Guard station.

The movie is divided into three parts. We watch Miriam and the folks back home coping with the very possible loss of their loved ones. We watch the men on the split-in-half oil ship, led by an introverted chief engineer (Casey Affleck), fighting for their lives. And we watch Webber and crew fight the storm and overwhelming waves in a small craft, trying to reach the ship before it sinks.

We know going in that we are witnessing a Hollywood version of what is considered the greatest sea rescue in history. Stick around for the credits, where you’ll see photos of the actual ships, areas, and men.

Rated PG-13 for its intense scenes.

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