Efficient thrills in Tom Hanks’ ‘Greyhound’
The term “Dad Movie” continues to build steam in the film world, referring to a certain type of movie anchored by action, adrenaline and a likable everyman.
“Greyhound,” starring Tom Hanks as a U.S. Navy Commander squaring off against U-boats in the Atlantic, fits the “Dad Movie” title well, serving up an efficient, intense 90-minutes of nautical action. The film, originally slated for theatrical release this summer, instead premiered exclusively on the Apple TV+ streaming platform.
Hanks plays Ernest Krause on his first war-time mission as commander of the USS Keeling, codenamed Greyhound. His ship serves as an escort to a supply convoy traveling across the ocean bound for Liverpool. When they lose air support in the mid-Atlantic, the convoy is besieged by U-boats.
“Greyhound” offers maybe five minutes of backstory for Krause, just enough for the reliable Hanks to make an impression and serve as the film’s human focal point. The movie then plays exclusively as a wartime procedural, bombarding the audience with nautical terminology and escalating showdowns. Thwarting the U-boats requires intense concentration and intuition, a genius-level understanding of sonar and a whole lotta luck.
Hanks wrote the screenplay based on the historical fiction novel, “The Good Shepherd” by C.S. Forester, and both Hanks and director Aaron Schneider (“Get Low”) keep the movie focused on the mission. It’s relentlessly paced, and the audience should be properly exhausted despite the short runtime.
Robust set design and the overwhelming use of technical language fuel the tension, though “Greyhound” suffers a bit from an overuse of glossy CGI in the battles’ wide shots. The movie would have surely cost a fortune without digital enhancements, but the action works better when zeroing in on the physical production design elements.
The explosive nature “Greyhound’ would have made it a must-see ticket on the big screen. It’s not quite as impactful on a smaller screen, but, hey, you can sign up for a free 7-day trial of Apple TV+ and give it a spin.
Also on Apple - “The Banker”
While you’re perusing the Apple content, make sure to check out the streaming platform’s other primary movie option - “The Banker.”
A fact-based drama co-written and directed by George Nolfi (“The Adjustment Bureau”), “The Banker” stars Anthony Mackie as Joe Morris, who became one of the first African-Americans in the United States to own and operate a bank. Samuel L. Jackson plays Morris’ investment partner, and Nicholas Hoult stars as a man they hire to serve as a “front” to the banks in order to calm white investors.
As a narrative, “The Banker” follows a fairly standard biopic outline, though the intrigue of the true(ish) story keeps the film from stumbling into too many narrative roadblocks. The performances propel the film too, with Mackie’s more reserved Morris volleying well off the reliably fiery Jackson. Hoult navigates a tricky character arc and Nia Long elevates an underwritten role as Morris’ wife.
Though it lacks the flash of “Greyhound,” “The Banker” is still worth seeking out while utilizing that 7-day Apple TV trial. Whether you stick with the service is dependent on how much you like the streamers lineup of TV series, which includes titles like the star-studded “The Morning Show,” the critically-acclaimed “Little America,” and the space-themed “For All Mankind” (not to mention the animated series, “Snoopy in Space”).
• • •
Tyler Wilson has been writing professionally about movies since 2000. He is the co-host of Old Millennials Remember Movies, available wherever you get podcasts. He can be reached at twilson@cdapress.com.
