Although The Terminal is not a ‘hidden’ gem, per se, I do feel that it doesn’t get as much love as it deserves, especially considering the calibre of the casting. However considering both Steven Spielberg’s and Tom Hanks’ impressive body of work you can almost forgive this one for falling through the cracks.

Director: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Tom Hanks, Catherine Zeta Jones, Stanley Tucci, Zoe Saldana, Diego Luna

Tagline: Life is waiting.

Inspired by real events, The Terminal tells the story of Viktor Navorski (Tom Hanks) who is visiting New York City in order to fulfil his father’s life-long dream. Unfortunately for Viktor, whilst he was in the air, a war broke out in his home country of Krakozhia and by the time he lands at JFK airport he is from a country that technically np longer exists, putting him in an unfortunate state of limbo. He cannot step onto American soil and he cannot return home.

Although Security Manager, Frank Dixon (Stanley Tucci) allows him to reside in the International Transit Lounge of the airport, he is less than accommodating and Viktor must rely on his resourcefulness in order to get by. As days become weeks become months, Viktor finds new friends and a sense of belonging in amongst the hustle and bustle of the airport.

One of the things I really enjoy about this film is that the main storyline doesn’t really take you anywhere. It gives you the beginning and it gives you an end but the main bulk of the film is about the stories of the people who’s lives revolve around the airport.

Amelia Warren (Catherine Zeta Jones) is a flight attendant whose constant travelling and somewhat self destructive personal demons get in the way of finding true love. Jones manages to balance the poise and sophistication that is somewhat stereotypical of the flight attendant role with the vulnerability of the woman underneath the uniform.

Gupta Rajan (Kumar Pallana) is a janitor who finds joy in his work by watching people ignore the wet floor signs and falling flat on their asses. Food Services employee, Enrique Cruz (Diego Luna) befriends Viktor and brings him into the fold but he does have an ulterior motive and uses Viktor to get close to his love interest, the INS official Dolores (Zoe Saldana).

The airport’s Security Manager Frank Dixon, brilliantly played by the always charming, often underrated Stanley Tucci, is ambitious and a stickler for the rules. Although he gives off a bit of a villainous vibe, he overextend his reach or abuse his powers., he is a stickler for the rules but that doesn’t mean he agrees with the rules.

Viktor Navorski is the type of character that could seem cliched, stereotyped and possibly even a little offensive in the wrong hands but Tom Hanks brings a sense of sincerity and honesty to the role that makes his character endearing and immensely likeable. But lets be honest, Tom Hanks shines in whatever he puts his mind to so I shouldn’t really be surprised.

Until next time…. x

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