The Movie Guys: As promised, ‘Perfect Storm’ makes waves

Friday, June 30, 2000 | 9:01 a.m.

The Movie Guys, starring Jeff Howard and Dave Neil, appears Fridays in the Sun. They can also be seen on the 11 a.m. Friday newscast on KVVU Channel 5. Plus, check them out online at lasvegassun.com/sun/sunlife/ movies and themovieguys.com.

Synopsis: Based on a true story, "The Perfect Storm" tells of the courageous men and women who risk their lives every day pitting their fishing boats and rescue vessels against the capricious forces of nature. Their worst fears are realized at sea on Halloween of 1991, when they are confronted by three raging weather fronts, which unexpectedly collide to produce the greatest storm in modern history -- the perfect storm.

Jeff: Who would have thought that fishing could be such a dangerous occupation? Did you realize that, as the movie's press kit states, more people have died working on fishing boats than in any other occupation in the United States? More than firefighters or police officers? I believe it. I lost two fingernails watching "The Perfect Storm" and they were torn from my fingers during many of the spectacular storm sequences, scenes that have such a realism that I could swear I felt the mist and sea breeze on my face.

This is an unforgettable epic and, much like the traits of an oncoming storm, the film begins calmly and serenely in the quiet costal town of Gloucester, Mass. Life seems frozen in time, but in this day and age fish are big business -- a single swordfish is worth hundreds of dollars. With that kind of money to be made, the risks are worth it to some of the fishermen.

Dave: Especially for Billy Tyne (George Clooney), captain of the Andrea Gail, who has had a string of disappointing catches and decides to make one last run before the fishing season comes to a close. His reluctant crew consists of the youthful Bobby (Mark Wahlberg), who is considering a fresh start with his new girlfriend (Diane Lane); veteran crew member Murph (John C. Reilly), who is trying to support his estranged wife and son; and a few locals looking to bring back a healthy load of fish in exchange for a big payday.

The movie starts out in typical Hollywood fashion, establishing each character's worthless back story to the point of nausea. Poor Clooney is given corny lines such as, "I'm a fisherman, that's what I do," to convey his depth, while the relationship of Wahlberg and Lane is artificially spun for dramatic tension that's left back on shore. By the time the gallant crew cruises beyond the normal fishing waters of New England known as the Flemish Cap, an extraordinary weather pattern begins to shape itself into "The Perfect Storm."

Finally, the impressive special effects are allowed to take over and produce what every summer movie promises to deliver!

Jeff: I wouldn't call the characters' backgrounds worthless, Dave. After all, the film is based on Sebastian Junger's best-selling nonfiction novel, and I was glad I didn't know the fate of our fishermen or any details of the actual events. The movie was a gratifying surprise. Clooney is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors. He commands the swordfish boat, the Andrea Gail, with great temperament.

The actors must have endured a rigorous production schedule. Clooney had to learn how to pilot a 72-foot-long commercial boat and the rest of the actors put up with having tons of water hurled at them for more than 10 hours a day. To think I actually thought of working on an Alaskan fishing boat during one of my college summer vacations.

Our fearless fishermen must fight to survive in the belly of one of the more fierce storms of the 20th century. The tension and suspense are almost unbearable.

Dave: I'll give you, Jeff, the film's tension and suspense, but what was definitely unbearable was the floundering script by Bill Wittliff ("Legends of the Fall") and the pandering direction by Wolfgang Petersen ("Air Force One"). There is no question about the German filmmaker's ability to place his audience under restrictive conditions, as in such potent dramas as "Das Boot" and "In the Line of Fire." And here, when the vulnerable fishing boat takes the fiercest storm in recorded history head on, we are placed on deck with the rest of the challenged crew looking to salvage their lives and their fishing stock.

But as soon as we cut back to the loved ones at bay who fear the worst, we are reminded of what little this potential Hollywood blockbuster really has to offer: Lane throwing a laughable tantrum in her lousiest Boston drawl, a bright-eyed boy's concern for his father's life, and an excited local weatherman (Chris McDonald) informing his viewers of the nature of the growing monstrous hurricane. In one simple word: fluff. All these factors are controlled by a manipulative score from Oscar-winning composer James Horner ("Titanic") and the film's only redeeming quality is its impressive visual display of the dangerous ocean front by Industrial Light & Magic.

Jeff: I think Dave has fallen overboard. Horner's score is crucial and complementary to the superb and skillful direction of Peterson. The storm is a star in and of itself, but the film explores humanity and our underlying greed. The fishermen ignore the signs of the storm and decide to keep hauling swordfish on board, a haul so large it would set the market price. Greed clouded their judgment.

Then the foundation of the human spirit is embedded within the U.S. Coast Guard and the pilots of the H-3 rescue helicopters, all of whom staged actual emergency operation procedures. Their motto is "... that others may live." The rescues are amazing and are the acts of true heroes. "The Perfect Storm" is man against nature, at its cruelest and most violent hour, and human drama at its best. Please keep the ending a secret and encourage your friends to experience one of the best films of this summer -- then head off to Red Lobster for a great discussion over a couple of swordfish steaks.