By: debbie lynn elias
It’s 1805. Napoleon rules France and is on his way to controlling the rest of the world. Captain Jack “Lucky Jack” Aubrey and crew have been ordered to follow the French frigate Acheron to the coast of Brazil. Their mission: to burn, capture or sink the Acheron before she can reach the Pacific Ocean. Their ship: the H.M.S. Surprise. And what a surprise it is when the Acheron appears out of nowhere, turning the tables on Aubrey, attacking the Surprise. Undaunted at being out-gunned and out-manned, Aubrey and crew fight and pursue in this grand and glorious sea-faring adventure on the far side of the world.
Based on the 1st and 10th books in the series of 20 novels by Patrick O’Brian (and again, as I repeatedly urge – get the books, read the books – you’ll appreciate both the books and the film even more having done so),”Master and Commander: Far Side of the World” is a manly man’s adventure, harkening back to the days of the British navy when men were men, using their wits to guide their actions, the stars to guide their ships and swashbuckling action made the blood flow, the heart pound and women swoon.
A study in character and philosophy, Lucky Jack and his friend, Dr. Stephen Maturin, the ship’s surgeon, are the center of the film. And while Jack may be the ship’s heart, it is Maturin who is the ship’s conscience. Jack is a man of action. Be damned the rule books. Go with the gut. Think outside the box. On the other hand, Maturin is a true scientist, intellect and naturalist. Although their basic beliefs and convictions are diametrically opposed, it is their self-conviction that binds the two with mutual respect, admiration and friendship. It is also this conviction that may tear them apart as Aubrey goes for the gusto in battle thereby threatening Maturin’s mission to beat Darwin to the evolutionary punch in the Galapagos Islands.
Carefully crafted by three time Oscar winner, director Peter Weir, the audience is given time to get to know not only the principals, but the supporting characters as well. Great attention is paid to colorful sub-plots detailing life on a sailing ship in the 1800’s. The solitude and loneliness. The camaraderie. The danger of injury and illness and death. The superstitions of the sea. The exuberance of new discoveries. The baptism under fire. Expertly demonstrated through the young Lord Blakeney, you see young teens put in charge of the deck during battle, their rise to the challenge and maturation before your eyes, being as carefully molded by the captain and circumstances as Weir molds the film.
But, at its heart, this is the tale of Aubrey and Maturin. Russell Crowe stars as Captain Jack Aubrey and is in his element. Strong, forceful, dashing, charismatic. A formidable force. A compassionate, humane leader. A performance that glistens Oscar gold. Paired up with Crowe is Paul Bettany as always cool under pressure Maturin. Both worked together in “A Beautiful Mind” where Bettany played the imaginary roommate. The friendship they established during that lensing rolls over here with a palatable ease and believability that intensifies the story.
Key to the film’s richness is the cinematography of Russell Boyd. From capturing the ferocity of the battle sequences between the Surprise and Acheron to shadowed shots of crewman scampering up the ships ropes and masts, Boyd doesn’t miss a beat. Hand in hand with Boyd’s work is that of production designer William Sandell whose recreation of these vintage ships takes authenticity to new heights.
Although actual ships at sea were used for many of the sequences, much of the two battle scenes and other “open sea” lensing was done in the tanks at Baja, California where “Titanic” was shot. Like James Cameron, Weir’s expert touch belies the confined shooting, giving a constant feel of the open sea. Adding more realism and exuberance to the project are the scenes actually filmed in the Galapagos Islands. The first film ever shot in the Galapagos, the exuberant impact of the islands natural wonders are exquisitely captured by Weir, adding dramatic levels of emotion to the grandeur of the project. Rounding out the experience are the sounds of the sea – both the calm and the storm – complimenting and enhancing the interaction of the characters as they wash over you like the tide.
Written by Weir and John Collee, this is a faithful adaptation of the O’Brian novels told with a well-paced, rousing exuberance and uncommon intelligence and humanity, richly detailed in both character and action. Set sail for the nearest theater now!
Capt. Jack Aubrey: Russell Crowe Dr. Stephen Maturin: Paul Bettany Lord Blakeney: Max Pirkis Barrett Bonden: Billy Boyd Lt. Thomas Pullings: James D’Arcy
Twentieth Century Fox/Universal/Miramax presents a film directed by Peter Weir. Written by Weir and John Collee. Based on the novels by Patrick O’Brian. Rated PG-13. (139 min)
