Today’s quick review: The Terminal. Viktor Navorski (Tom Hanks) is on a flight to New York when a revolution throws his home country of Krakozhia into chaos. By the time he lands, his passport is invalid and his visa has been revoked, leaving him stranded at JFK International Airport with no way to enter America and no way to get back home. Viktor must make a new life for himself at the airport terminal while waiting for his situation to change.
The Terminal is a dramatic comedy from director Steven Spielberg. Tom Hanks stars as Viktor Navorski, a visitor to the United States who falls through a crack in the system and becomes trapped in bureaucratic limbo. With no money and only a crude grasp of English, Viktor uses his wits to survive in a place that was only ever meant to be a stopover. The movie’s charming sense of humor and heartfelt moments make it an enjoyable watch.
The Terminal’s chief draw is the way Viktor copes with his unusual situation. From living on crackers and condiments to sleeping at an abandoned gate, Viktor does everything he can to make the airport a home. His struggles eventually earn him friends among the staff, including Gupta (Kumar Pallana), an irascible janitor, and Enrique Cruz (Diego Luna), a lovestruck delivery man. Viktor’s kindness and perseverance make his victories all the sweeter.
However, The Terminal does have its quirks. The rules of Viktor’s confinement feel arbitrary, especially when it comes to his feud with customs official Frank Dixon (Stanley Tucci). His slow-motion romance with flight attendant Amelia Warren (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is similarly unconventional. But in spite of its outward levity, The Terminal switches abruptly into drama in places, resulting in rewarding moments that don’t quite fit the pattern.
Give The Terminal a shot when you’re in the mood for something uplifting, clever, and not too overbearing. The Terminal has an interesting premise, a likable lead, and a unique perspective on life. How much you get out of it will depend on how its particular blend of comedy and drama suits you, but its rewards make it worth the watch for anyone who is curious.
For a Tom Hanks drama about a man stranded far from home, try Cast Away. For a Tom Hanks comedy about a kind-hearted man on a journey, try Forrest Gump. Check out The Truman Show or Groundhog Day for a more surreal comedy about a man trapped by circumstance.
7.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for an unusual comedy with some good heart; your score will vary.