Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

Viktor Navorski has a problem. He’s just entered the United States from a fictitious Eastern European country (no, in the film it’s not fictitious… or that would be his problem!) only to find that while he was in transit, a military coup had taken place and his country is no longer recognised by the international community - in particular, the United States. Therefore he cannot enter the country. However, for various legal reasons he also cannot be deported back - nor does he wish to, as he’s come to America for a specific purpose, and is determined to see him through. Therefore Viktor’s problem becomes Frank Dixon’s problem - as head of the local border control with a promotion he’s sought for a lifetime on the horizon, he wants Viktor to become someone else’s problem. At first he tries to suggest to Viktor that he just leave the airport and vanish into the sea of people, but officially he must remain in the airport. Viktor complies with the official line - even when Dixon clearly tells him that he will instruct his guards to look the other way at a particular time. This also does not work. For now, the airport is home…

As time goes by Viktor learns English (or at least the American version of English ;-D), gets to know people, and even gets himself a job. He also develops a romance with one of the stewardesses who passes through the airport at times. He helps people with their immigration problems, having become fully conversant with the various sections of the paperwork that he has seen so many times. During all this, there’s only one thought in Frank’s mind… to get Viktor out of his airport and off his hands, while officially trying to be seen to obey the letter of the law.

The Terminal is a film that could so easily have become a slushy mess, which is in fact the main reason I’d decided not to watch it at the cinema. However Stephen Spielberg teaming up again with Tom Hanks with a film based on a true story (as with he earlier “Catch Me If You Can”) has produced a really pleasing film here. Hanks produced a very credible Eastern European accent as well as a very good performance as the likeable Viktor. His character was handled quite well, though his seemingly uncanny ability to construct amazing building projects on his own, using other people’s tools and equipment, and showing a MacGyver-like ingenuity, seemed a little over the top. Still, because he’s likeable we still find ourselves rooting for him in basically every situation he’s thrown into,

Then there’s the excellent Stanley Tucci as Frank Dixon. Another very solid performance from Tucci, though his character seemed rather inconsistent. I wasn’t sure I understood his motives some of the time - he seemed to change his objective in every other scene. He was kind of the bad guy of the piece though without being someone we really hated - just trying to do his job and not getting the balance right, I guess. I normally associate Tucci with much more flamboyant roles than this and he seemed a little restricted. Catherine Zeta-Jones is Amelia Warren, the Stewardess Viktor falls for. More than anything she is a pitiable character - nice but not bright enough to get herself out of the whole she’s dug for herself. Zeta-Jones plays her character well - she gives Amelia a certain warmth (and she’s certainly gorgeous enough for you to understand why Viktor’s eye is immediately drawn to her), yet enough depth to both sympathise and be infuriated with her at the same time.

There are several memorable characters in the supporting cast - a lovesick catering worker, a baggage handler who thinks Viktor is a spy, and a Receptionist who is wooed by proxy! Among the supporting cast are Chi McBride, Diego Luna, Kumar Pallana, and Zoe Salana.

It gets a pretty good balance between drama and humour, with lots of good dialogue and light touches. I was a little disappointed by the end - to say why would include big spoilers so suffice to say that even though it seemed like certain things should have happened, they didn’t - but it was more logical that they didn’t considering the characters’ personalities. The ending aside, it’s quite ironic that with it being based on a true story, the main weakness I found with the film is that a few scenes just seemed to be pushing credibility a little too far.

The film is backed up a very nice music score by John Williams (who else?!), and it’s all done with sensitivity yet also a real sense of fun. I was very pleasantly surprised by The Terminal - it’s not a great film, perhaps, but certainly a very enjoyable one with good performances and a solid script. Since it’s a little different and derives much of its humour from culture clash situations (albeit we don’t really see any of Viktor’s native culture as such), it will probably appeal more to those who aren’t fans of romantic comedies than most other romcoms. Of course for those of us who do like romcoms, it’s very enjoyable as well.

Other Information

Year of release: 2004
Directed by: Stephen Spielberg
Rated PG-13 for brief language and drug references

Runtime: 128 minutes

Writing team:

Andrew Nicol and Sacha Gervasi (story)
Sacha Gervasi and Jeff Nathanson (screenplay)


Awards

The Terminal won:

The Art Directors Guild “Excellence in Production Design Award”
The BMI Film Music Award for John Williams excellent score

It was also nominated for:

The Golden Trailer “Best Romance” Award
The Motion Picture Sounder Editors, USA Golden Reel Award for Best Sound Editing in Domestic Features - Dialogue & ADR

Quotes

Amelia: Are you coming or going?
Viktor Navorski: I don't know. Both.


Frank Dixon: Sometimes you land a small fish. You unhook him very carefully. You place him back in the water. You set him free so that somebody else can have the pleasure of catching him.


Frank Dixon: You could have any man you wanted... why Viktor Navorski?
Amelia: That's something a man like you could *never* hope to understand.

Gupta Rajan: [after catching Viktor digging through his trash cart] Do you have an appointment?


Amelia: I have to go.
Viktor Navorski: I have to stay.
Amelia: Story of my life.
Viktor Navorski: Me too.


Viktor Navorski: Officer Torres, my friend say you are stallion.
Officer Dolores Torres: Mr. Navorski! Mr. Navorski...
Viktor Navorski: Stallion.
Officer Dolores Torres: [surprised] A what?
Viktor Navorski: A stallion. Like a horse.
Officer Dolores Torres: [embarrassed] Stand behind the yellow line!
Viktor Navorski: It's horse! Beautiful horse!
Officer Dolores Torres: Who said that?
Viktor Navorski: My food! My friend drive the food.

Viktor Navorski: So she go to these conventions dressed as... Yeoman Rand. Yeoman Rand.
Enrique Cruz: She's a Trekkie... She's a Trekkie!
Viktor Navorski: Favorite episode is "Doomsday Machine."

Joe Mulroy: Why do you think he'll leave?
Frank Dixon: Because he slipped through and fell in a crack. Nobody likes staying in a crack because they're nothing. Nobody likes to be stuck in a crack.

Amelia: I've been waiting my whole life, I just don't know what the hell for.

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Related Links

Tom Hanks: Apollo 13, Catch Me If You Can, Cast Away, Dragnet

Caherine Zeta-Jones: No Reservations, Chicago

Zoe Saldana:: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

See also: My Top Ten Romantic Comedies


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This review was an entry to The Good Movies Write Off

Recommended: Yes