FILM REVIEW: "The Finest Hours" tells the chronicles of a perfect American Hero

Based on the true events of the 1950s, "The Finest Hours" is but a grappling nostalgia of the 'World War II' era with the typical washed out look and a touch of glamour. The film is a historical disaster drama film directed by Craig Gillespie and written by Eric Johnson, Scott Silver , and Paul Tamasy, based on The Finest Hours: The True Story of the U.S. Coast Guard's Most Daring Sea Rescue by Michael J. Tougias and Casey Sherman. It tells the story of the winter of February 1952 when Bernard "Bernie" Webber, a United States Coast Guard led a rescue mission of the SS Pendleton.

Bernie (Chris Pine) is dispatched to pilot his lifeboat to rescue an oil tanker which broke in half off the Chatham coast after getting caught in a nor'easter putting the lives of 32 men in danger. His fiancé, like a number of other townspeople, thinks it is a suicide mission and we follow Bernie and his crew as they battle harsh weather conditions out at sea in attempt to survive and get back to shore alive.

Chris Pine is the perfect rescue hero and fits the role in every way possible. He looks like he has been cut straight out of a comic book and there is no doubt at all that he is capable of handling the mission like a superhero. His blue eyes make it hard not to love him and root for his safety throughout. Although the biggest enemy that Bernie is fighting against is the terrible storm and giant waves, it is hard not to hate the station commander, Daniel Cliff, played by Eric Bana, who has a bit of a mean strike. However, his character was underwritten and it quickly reminds one that he is not all the baddest wolf. Miriam Pentinen, Bernie's girlfriend is like a Meryln Monroe with brown hair and her presence in the film brings out the glamorous side of the 50s.

The film also tells the love story of Miriam and Bernie, a heartwarming touch to the cold, waterlogged disaster film. Seeing Miriam desperately trying so hard to have her fiance turned back from what is deemed a suicide mission and Bernie fighting for his life to get back home to the love of his life, brings a beacon of light in our hearts that the movie would not otherwise possess. An operator girl and a sea guard, the couple make a typical 50s love affair, fulfilling many of the cliques that the film portray.

Even with minimum special effects to keep the film authentically 1950s, the scenes at sea during the rescue mission are well edited and quite impressive. Emphasis is placed on the cold, wet disorienting conditions and massive waves that will send chills down the spine as you watch the men fight to survive. These scenes bring the film to life and create an action packed drama of excitement for a story that has pretty much taken its time unfolding itself all along. The composer also does strong work with the classic score that helps creates an old-school mood.

"The Finest Hours" is a well crafted drama that does justice in telling the story of a heroic rescue mission and nothing more can really be asked of the production at the end of it all, whether it comes out as the best picture or not.