Opening
the film in a busy airport, lots of people coming and going, lots of chaos,
successfully sets the film out to be an intense people focused film. Viktor
Navorski (Tom Hanks) gets pulled into security after there has been a
problem with his passport. Totally without worry he steps aside with no
clue as to what has happened. His home country in Eastern Europe has fallen
into revolution so his passport is invalid. Unable to go back home or
get into New York he is stuck in the airport. With no English vocabulary
Viktor is left stranded on the terminal until the war is over.
Tom Hanks is superb in this film. I have loved every minute of it. From
his ability to develop the character so intensely, in a small space and
a short time down to the beautiful accent is magnificent.
Viktor turns out to be full of initiative, a loyal friend to the staff
and willing to wait and put people and situations before his own ambitions
and dreams. He makes a living out of decorating and rebuilding the terminal.
He makes friends and meets Amelia, a lonely, hurt flight attendant towards
he is a true gentleman and he falls in love with her.
The film is full of different themes, even if it only barely touches them.
Loyalty, loneliness, identity, what makes happiness and everybody is waiting
for something. A beautiful film, funny, charming, romantic, and desperately
sad, with a personal victory at the end.
Opening
the film in a busy airport, lots of people coming and going, lots of chaos,
successfully sets the film out to be an intense people focused film. Viktor
Navorski (Tom Hanks) gets pulled into security after there has been a
problem with his passport. Totally without worry he steps aside with no
clue as to what has happened. His home country in Eastern Europe has fallen
into revolution so his passport is invalid. Unable to go back home or
get into New York he is stuck in the airport. With no English vocabulary
Viktor is left stranded on the terminal until the war is over.