In the Heart of the Sea Movie Blurb by Shale December 14, 2015 Having spent the past two weeks on a ship in the Pacific Ocean, this was a good first movie to see after getting my land legs back. (for several days after getting off a ship you feel like solid ground is swaying). While at sea, looking at the immense swells of the Pacific on even a calm day from a 14-story, hundred-thousand ton floating hotel, I often wonder how it was in those small sailing ships of past. This movie shows that. This is the backstory to the American classic novel, Moby Dick by Herman Melville and opens with Melville (Ben Whishaw) in 1850 Nantucket wanting to interview Thomas Nickerson (Brendan Gleeson), the last survivor of the ill-fated whaling ship Essex, which rumor had it was destroyed by a great white Sperm Whale. Melville & Nickerson Reveal the Tale Nickerson is reluctant to tell the tale of this obvious traumatic event of his youth but with his wife's prodding proceeds. In flashback to 1820 we see skilled sailor and whaler Owen Chase (Chris Hemsworth) sign on as First Mate to the Essex, under Capt. George Pollard, Jr (Benjamin Walker). There is friction between the two officers as the experienced Chase was promised to be Captain by the company owners since his last lucrative voyage brought back lots of whale oil. But he was bumped by Pollard who is inexperienced but comes from a prestigious whaler family. Chase & Pollard Forced to Work Together 14-year-old Thomas Nickerson (Tom Holland) has signed on for the young-man dreams of adventure, going to sea whaling. Young Nickerson - Rude Awakening There are mishaps and drama on this years-long voyage that takes them from the Atlantic into the Pacific in search of whales. Finally, they come upon their quarry and are having success when they come under attack by a great white bull whale that manages to sink their ship. A Pack of Whalers After Prey The rest of the story is one of survival in the vastness of the Pacific Ocean. (something you can contemplate while having a beer on the 14th deck of this floating hotel and looking down on 5-foot swells that look flat and calm.) I really enjoyed the movie, it is a work of art directed by Ron Howard. The real critics at Rotten Tomatoes only gave it a 43% fresh, saying that "The admirably old-fashioned In the Heart of the Sea boasts thoughtful storytelling to match its visual panache, even if it can't claim the depth or epic sweep to which it so clearly aspires." Like me, 65% of audiences liked it.
