Number 917 on top 1000 films of all time is the period-drama Master and Commander: Far Side of the World.
Captain "Lucky Jack" Aubrey (Russell Crowe) and Dr Stephen Matinue (Paul Bettany) are stationed on the HMS Surprise during the onset of the Napoleonic Wars. They are tasked with hunting down and catching the feared French frigate, the Acheron. But Jack's dedication to his duty soon turns to arrogance, as he is determined to catch this ship at all costs. In doing so, he endangers the lives of his whole crew.
I've never been a fan of period dramas. That's usually because there's a lack of stakes. I'm not saying I need gunfights and explosions, but a sense of life and death helps to add some drama. Obviously, the stakes aren't the same in a period drama, and, as such, they're not always very exciting to watch.
At times, I felt the same about Master and Commander. Although, it is Lucky Jim's brashness that is putting the crew into danger, how much danger are they actually in? Nobody of any significance dies until the final act. The exception that proves the rule is Captain of the Mizzentop, William Warley (Joseph Morgan) who is thrown overboard in a storm. Caught between saving his crew member or his ship, Jack saves the ship. Yet he doesn't face any consequences from this action. In fact, Will's death is attributed to Midshipman Hollam (Lee Ingleby) who is ostracised by the crew as a Jonah. He later commits suicide. Perhaps the characterising as Jack was "lucky" was a mistake. He and his crew too easily overcome all their obstacles.
This isn't to deride Russell Crowe's performance. I've not always spoken too fondly of Crowe - I think he is quite wooden at times, but he was good here. His accent was certainly more consistent than some of his other films.
Honestly, the stakes felt higher with Paul Bettany's character of Dr Steven Maturin. He had something to lose. A scientist, first and foremost, he has the opportunity to study the animals of the Galapagos islands. But despite multiple promises from Lucky Jack, he never gets the chance. This puts their friendship to the ultimate test. Both actors worked well together with Bettany being a calming presence to Crowe's megalomania.
Although this film was watchable, it wasn't really for me. The two leads gave good performances, but I'm just not a fan of period dramas.
It was a competent film, well acted and staged. I would have hated being below decks when the cannon balls crashed in. All the sailing ship guff is over my head and kind of boring to me. The plot was rather predictable. Still, the finished film was watchable and quite memorable.
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