There have been different takes of the tale of Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, arguably the 1956 version to be the most lauded. Others have used a whale as a symbolic part of nature. But where did the author get his story from? The new Ron Howard film In the Heart of the Sea answers that question.
The story about the story opens with young and successful writer Herman Melville (Ben Whishaw) who wants a tale from an old sea dog named Tom Nickerson (Brendan Gleeson). Many years ago, Tom was a young man on an infamous voyage out of Nantucket. The writer wants an epic story and the old man does not want to remise about what happened many years ago. After a few snorts of alcohol and a prodding from the wife, the elder statesman begins to tell his tale. He was on the ship Essex with First Mate Owen Chase (Chris Hemsworth) and Captain George Pollard (Benjamin Walker). Chase was promised his own ship but the owners had reneged. Pollard had never captained a ship but was given command because of his family connections. Before they even hoist the first mast, there is an animosity between the two.
Many of the crew knows each other and all know and respect Chase. All believe in the sailor and believe they will be back in port in six months with a ship full of whale oil. Soon they run into a giant beast and Chase proves that he is a strong sailor and an accomplished whaler. Pollard does not like the fact that the crew listens to the First Mate and not the Captain. A giant storm comes into view and the Captain forces the men into the bad winds. In one of the highlights of the work, the crew must push the ship into the edge of the squall. The film is thrown about in a CGI orgy of calamity. The problem is that it looks like a CGI scene, meaning it feel very fake. After the ship limps to a southern port, the next part of the story begins. They are told of a part of the ocean very far from land. It is full of whales and a giant white whale that protects the herd. The Captain decides to take the risk for the promise of wealthy whale oil. The middle of the story is about the confrontation between a whaling crew and the giant pale behemoth, with the last part centering around the aftermath of this confrontation.
The biggest thing that the makers of this film got right was the physical tone of the time. They show seamanship as a dirty, hard life. There is no romance in the world of In the Heart of the Sea and the men may be characters to admire, but they are not characters to emulate. Truly the best performance is by Cilian Murphy as Matthew Joy. He is a crewman on the ship and it is not a very big part, but the actor makes the most of the work and does magic with the role. He is not afraid to look crusty and there is a moment in the last Act that is the most emotional part of the film. The final scene with Cilian and Chris Hemsworth is the single most honest beat in the picture.
This is Ron Howard’s most personal film. That is not saying much because Ron Howard is not that personal of a director. The entire crew is obsessed with whale oil which is a personification of wealth. Ron Howard, being a kid actor in Hollywood, must know about obsessed people. But where some directors in Hollywood have distinguished themselves with a certain vision, Ron Howard has not. People over the years have looked forward to the release of the newest work of certain directors; others have not achieved that platitude. The masses stood in line for the latest film by Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick and Steven Spielberg, but most directors are a part of the wash-less masses of unknowns. At times one keeps feeling like they are watching a lesser version of a better film. Visions of Jaws, Castaway, All is Lost or Whale Rider keep seeping in the backwash while watching this bit of cinema. It is a bad sign when the audience is reminded of greater works.
The film is shown in 3D and has a big blue background, which doesn’t mix that well. It is a major detriment while viewing the final product. Certain scenes are awash of images that do not meld well with this technology. We know that we are watching special effects and that everything seen is not a part of the real world. But the whale looks both authentic and menacing. It is truly the biggest star in Tinsel Town. I’d suggest you pass on spending the extra money for the newest technology with those little glasses. In the Heart of the Sea is a good film but not a great one. It should bring in the special effects junkies but will not have much of an appeal past that small niche, likely not appealing to a much broader audience. It is more for the fanboys rather than Joe Moviegoer.
