Champagne Murphy
Well-Known Member
+1.
The Mercy (film)
- Thread starter Tin Tin
- Start date
+1.
laika
Well-Known Member
Much as I hate to add comment on a second thread when another is already running...
The mental breakdown is, imho, rather downplayed. Sensitivity for the family? Because more would have involved too much speculation about the inside of someone's head? Because it would have been harder to write? Because it's intended as a sentimental biopic for mainstream audiences rather than anything more "difficult"? I hope it's not too much of a spoiler to say that the film does not heavily focus on the progression into the state in which Crowhurst was making his later journal entries. His mental state is presented as a fairly rational despair at his impossible situation with a couple of hallucinations chucked in and it's not as hard to watch as those who have read "The Strange Last Voyage" can imagine it might have been.
In fact I think the makers did quite a poor job of building up any kind of picture of the isolation involved. He seems to be on the radio to his family every 5 minutes. The film is relatively short by today's standards (100 mins) which should have left scope for building up the impression of solitude. But that would have been a different film entirely, not one for mainstream cinema goers and certainly not for those who have already commented that it's too slow.
The mental breakdown is, imho, rather downplayed. Sensitivity for the family? Because more would have involved too much speculation about the inside of someone's head? Because it would have been harder to write? Because it's intended as a sentimental biopic for mainstream audiences rather than anything more "difficult"? I hope it's not too much of a spoiler to say that the film does not heavily focus on the progression into the state in which Crowhurst was making his later journal entries. His mental state is presented as a fairly rational despair at his impossible situation with a couple of hallucinations chucked in and it's not as hard to watch as those who have read "The Strange Last Voyage" can imagine it might have been.
In fact I think the makers did quite a poor job of building up any kind of picture of the isolation involved. He seems to be on the radio to his family every 5 minutes. The film is relatively short by today's standards (100 mins) which should have left scope for building up the impression of solitude. But that would have been a different film entirely, not one for mainstream cinema goers and certainly not for those who have already commented that it's too slow.
BelleSerene
Well-Known Member
Perhaps the other film, out shortly, will do just that.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4791984/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt
roblpm
Well-Known Member
When I said its too slow I think its because I knew what was going to happen and the film doesn't really build up the horrible tension that it could have.
laika
Well-Known Member
No particular reference to your previous comment intended and I agree with what you say here. The moon landings are referenced but never in the context of the oft-referenced notion that those departing on this endeavour were more alone than armstrong &co. There's no mention that accepted wisdom (stressed by Tetley in Trimaran Solo) was that a trimaran couldn't survive the southern ocean, would be flipped and stay flipped and that Crowhurst was not only betting his business and home, he was betting his life on his innovations like the buoyancy bag. So when he sets off with disconnected wires and the buoyancy bag fails the audience don't see anything more significant than a few more broken things.
If you didn't know the story you would have been forgiven for thinking that he might not only win but also give a victory speech without stuttering. It's the certainty that it's all going to go horribly wrong which cranks up the tragic effect at the end of the 3rd act...
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xyachtdave
Well-Known Member
There was definitely a bigger J possibly a 105 in the towing the boat out scene, interesting about paying boat owners to move their boats.
My modern house actually made the scene filmed in Chatham Dockyard onboard the Gannet, albeit 'greyed out' slightly!
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
Well-Known Member
Seen the film, overall it was good, bearing in mind that sailing films are very difficult make. The reality is that Crowhurst had no chance in hell in completing the race as he was inexperienced, the boat design was poor, and lack of preparation; surprised that he made it to Argentina.
