The Terminal

What would happen if Forrest Gump got stuck in an airport terminal? That question is actually the best way to describe the premise of "The Terminal". After making the successful "Catch Me If You Can", two-time Oscar winning director Steven Spielberg made a similar kind of show with two-time Oscar winning actor Tom Hanks. This was the third collaboration between Spielberg and Hanks with a fourth coming years later with "Bridge of Spies". "Catch Me If You Can" was their second film and both that movie & "The Terminal" concern airline travel. What "The Terminal" has to offer is an entertaining tale about one man discovering the United States over the course of nine months from the perspective of JFK airport. It is funny and dramatic albeit not as dramatic or special as one might hope. Despite that, the talent of the aforementioned two filmmakers as well as that of Spielberg's other collaborators is able to carry the movie.

I like the establishing shots but what really makes them great is the use of sound. "The Terminal" also has comparisons with "Cast Away" (also starring Hanks). As on that film, the protagonist must overcome various challenges to survive in a confined space. Originality comes from the fact that an airport terminal is far different from a desert island. Officer Torres' stamps help us keep track of the time, as Viktor Navorski remains trapped for nine months in one building. The evolution of Gate 67 is also great at showing the passing of time. The problems Viktor faces are similar to any immigrant but what makes him unique is that he must solve those problems on the cusp of the entry into the US. First he needs money for food and then he needs to improve his English. Once his source of money is cut off, he must help Enrique win Officer Torres' heart in order to eat. When Viktor wants to take Amelia out of dinner, he realizes that he needs a job. I find the scene at the "restaurant" hilarious with his three new friends making his date possible. Viktor is the same guy at the end of the movie that is his at the start but his inexperience has been replaced by familiarity with American culture. Viktor's nemesis in this movie is not just bureaucracy but its enforcer at the airport. In Frank Dixon's first meeting with Viktor, he treats him well enough. For Dixon, this is just another traveler with document problems, granted his case is quite unique. As Viktor's time in the terminal lengthens, Dixon's thought process is revealed. Dixon' solution was to have the whole mess figure itself out but as the civil war in Krakozhia wears on, Dixon figures Viktor will break out in desperation. Dixon has seen it before but he never expected Viktor to wait as long as he does. Dixon is used to lawbreakers but not law-abiding travelers with limited English who are stuck in a crack. The audience must understand Dixon's motivation so he doesn't come across as completely evil. He is under pressure with being up for a promotion and doesn't want any curve balls thrown at him during this transition. He is extremely active in his job and Viktor is throwing his system and his ability to control things off. When Viktor doesn't escape, Dixon tries to trick him into leaving to get him out of his hair. Dixon removes the guards from the terminal doors for five minutes so that Viktor will finally do something wrong and can be detained. Viktor may be naive but he isn't stupid. In his hesitation, Viktor becomes aware of the security camera tracking him and Dixon's plan fails. Dixon told Viktor he wouldn't be watched but that is now obviously false.

Dixon then tries to force Viktor into escaping the terminal by taking away his source of cash. Dixon won't lie to get rid of Victor for two reasons. Firstly, he doesn't want to ruin his changes at being promoted and also because Viktor won't break the law to get rid of some annoying person who won't. Finally, Dixon has a better solution. When someone is stuck in a crack, you have to find another crack to get them out. If Viktor declares that he is afraid to return home, he can leave the airport while he waits to see a judge about his case. Dixon believes this is the way out because of the accumulation of these cases and the fact that hardly anyone shows up for their trial. But this is the unguarded door all over again. It is true that Viktor's naivety and honesty is what prevents him from taking advantage of this solution but who's to say that Viktor won't get into trouble if he's not there for his court date? Besides, Viktor doesn't want to stay in New York. We don't know that fact yet and that is part of what makes this story entertaining. We come to find out that Viktor only has one task to accomplish in New York and then he wants to go home. As the inspection date for Dixon looms, he has had enough and detains Viktor. As a side note, I wonder if Dixon set up the walnuts. It seemed way too convenient as a way to prove himself worthy of the promotion. Viktor doesn't stay detained for long as Dixon has no choice but to make deal with him. Milodragovich's situation mirrors Victor's when you think about it because both characters have problems with border laws. As Milodragovich begs, it shows Dixon's lack of mercy to both characters. By leaving Victor in limbo and by taking away the medicine from Milodragovich, the security guards and the inspectors see Dixon's true colors. Following the law is important but sympathy is an important quality in any position. Dixon still has a chance to be promoted because he wanted to uphold the law. Ironically, his superiors give him sympathy. When Viktor needs the one-day pass authorized, Dixon won't do it seemingly out of revenge. He spent so much time trying to get Viktor to go to New York illegally that he wants the win. He even blackmails Viktor to guarantee his win. When Gupta sacrifices his job and freedom, Viktor is ready to fight back. Despite the fact that Joe and Enrique could lose their jobs, Victor won't let Gupta's act be in vain. I like the use of sound outside the airport and reflection of the New York skyline in the building. After all they've been through, Dixon lets Viktor go because Viktor is out of his life with the legal ability to go anywhere. I get a kick out of the fact that Viktor knows the fastest way to the Ramada.

Spielberg has his usual collaborators in tow besides Tom Hanks such as Michael Khan, Janusz Kaminski and John Williams. For this movie, the musical score that Williams wrote is very lighthearted. It suits the story. Hanks based his performance on his Bulgarian father-in-law who is multilingual. Hanks has played the everyman many times before so not only does his accent serve to create originality but also the slight change in the style of his hair. Stanley Tucci was in "Road to Perdition" with Hanks two years prior to the making of "The Terminal". I had seen Tucci for the first time in "Beethoven" when I was a kid but I consider his role as Dixon as my formal introduction to his work. The same goes for Zoe Saldana because I first saw her in "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl", which is the film she made just prior to "The Terminal". I find that there is a bit of accidental foreshadowing in the fact that Officer Torres is a Trekkie when you considering the career Saldana would later have in the science fiction genre (even when you ignore the "Star Trek" films). Our opinion of Gupta as a character changes quite dramatically as the film progresses. He is first introduced as a mean janitor but then we learn his back story, which leads up to the climax. I love how the real Benny Golson appears in the film. By the way, he and one other jazz musician are the only surviving participants in that famous Harlem photo. As another fun fact, the actor playing Viktor's last taxi driver would later voice Baymax.

"The Terminal" is partially inspired by a true-life story of a man trapped in an airport for 18 years in Paris. The star power/talent of the director and leading actor helped to make the film work. This movie contributed to the "never travel with Hanks" Internet joke later in his career. Throughout the film, we get a few clues as to what is in Viktor's peanut can. When the mystery is revealed, the film's drama begins to balance out the comedy. I like the theme of "The Terminal" because all the characters are waiting for something. Dixon waits for his promotion, Amelia with her love interest, Enrique for Delores' answer and of course Viktor waits for the chance to go to New York. Even Gupta is waiting for the world to forget about him. We are all waiting for something and patience is what works most of the time.

4 Stars out of 5