In The Heart Of The Sea

By: John Delia

One of the more aggressive films about the sea In the Heart of the Sea follows the tale of Moby Dick by Herman Melville, but this time with a twist.  Nicely filmed and containing a lot of action on the Atlantic Ocean, the picturesque views become a good portion of the movie. The acting and direction are stellar with Chris Hemsworth playing the lead and a fine support cast helmed by Ron Howard.

Writer Herman Melville (Ben Whishaw) looks up the aging Tom Nickerson (Brenden Gleeson) who has a story he’s been keeping secret over the past 30 years.  After finally getting him to open up, Nickerson tells his tale of being a young boy who went to sea for the first time.

It’s the early 1800’s New England and the cold north has seen some wicked weather.  Whale oil has been a growing commodity to keep the towns warm and the lamps lit.  Risking their lives, the whalers set sale day after day just to bring in enough whale oil to make a meager living. Ship owners are dependent on the boat crews to keep their consortiums wealthy so Captains are chosen only from the most experienced seamen.

George Pollard, Sr. (Nicholas Jones) owner of The Essex, the top whaler in port, has made an open call for sailors to take the ship out for a run at getting a shipload of oil. Rushing to the wharf looking to be hired on as Captain is veteran Owen Chase (Chris Hemsworth). But, the inexperienced Pollard, Jr. (Benjamin Walker) has trumped his position and Chase gets First Mate instead.

So begins a do or die sea voyage with two men at odds with each other setting sail into the mouth of the biggest opportunity that any whaler has ever seen.  Director Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind, The Da Vinci Code) takes The Essex to sea with a heart pounding film that compels and surprises.  Making a film that includes an ocean of water, boats afloat and a cast confined to a 40 foot deck is tough enough, but when you throw in a mighty whale that’s determined to sink the ship the task becomes monumental.  Up for the chore, Howard turns in another winner for his nearly forty titles.

Chris Hemsworth shines as the steadfast whaler that has to play second fiddle to the inexperienced Captain Pollard.  He runs a tight ship as First Mate and the crew loves him, but jealousy runs high with Pollard wanting to show he’s boss. Hemsworth’s Chase never gives way as he challenges the novice captain at every turn.  It’s good to see Hemsworth in a role other than The Avengers and here he proves he’s got the talent to act like a mortal doing immortal things.

In the Heart of the Sea has been rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and peril, brief startling violence,and thematic material. The very young may have a bit of the problem handling the subject matter, but mature pre-teen accompanied by a parent or older brother should not have the problem.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A thrilling tale with a lot of action and surprises. (B)