The real-life events that helped inspire Herman Melville's
classic 1851 novel Moby-Dick become the basis for a polished
and exciting adventure directed by Ron Howard. As the
novelist (Ben Whishaw) interviews the last survivor (Brendan
Gleeson) of an ill-fated 1820 whaling expedition out of
Nantucket, Massachusetts, the old salt (played in youth by
Tom Holland) reluctantly reveals the tragic consequences that
resulted from the rivalry between his vessel's aristocratic
but inexperienced captain (Benjamin Walker) and its veteran
first mate (Chris Hemsworth), a feud which led to the ship's
disastrous encounter with a leviathan of vast proportions and
unusual ferocity. While it falls short of its own sublime
ambitions, Howard's film is visually striking and generally
absorbing as it weaves its tale of hubris and greed,
deprivation and determination. And a light touch is
maintained in its incidental treatment of religious and
environmental topics. Despite some grim plot developments,
this adaptation of Nathaniel Philbrick's history text,
published in 2000, will make fit and even valuable fare for
most mature adolescents.
Watch out for: Much stylized seafaring violence with
brief gore, mature themes, including cannibalism and suicide,
a fleeting bawdy image, about a half-dozen uses of profanity,
a single crude and several crass terms.
Rated: A-III, adults; MPAA: PG-13, parents strongly
cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children
under 13.
© Arlington Catholic Herald 2015