The Perfect Storm (2000)

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

The acting in this movie is really good.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

this movie is nothing to write home about...the acting is bad given the cast, but the special effects are pretty good. I had to laugh at the part where the captain had to torch cut the stabilizing anchor, pretty outlandish stuff. That's the problem with movies based on true stories. We don't know what happened out there to these people and it's a sad story, but adding outlandish dramatizations? does it work or take-away from it? This is the problem with the 1.5-2 hour movie time-frame, not very substantive, cheap and fast.... I especially had to laugh at the part where the captain finally declares that it's time to turn around...really? And I can't help wondering why they didn't divert to Newfoundland and wait the storm out? A little to late don't you think? If they had any notions that there was a hurricane brewing or, as the film implied, a broken ice machine where they had to get back or lose their catch, they could have gone to Newfoundland to make some other arrangements. It's an okay movie...but that's about it.

The Perfect Storm (2000): Dir: Wolfgang Petersen / Cast: George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, John C. Reilly, Diane Lane, William Fichtner: Disaster film that rides viewers through two hours of storms, winds and swordfish to reveal an ending that had me wanting to give it away to those awaiting to rip themselves off. Based on a true story with a storm that is beyond perfect. George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg and a host of other fishermen journey to the Atlantic to catch fish but upon their way back they are caught within a massive storm. Cliché filled bore directed by Wolfgang Petersen who previously made another laugh rendered action farce called Air Force One. Terrific special effects are only plus but the cast basically sleepwalk through the entire film. Clooney, Wahlberg, John C. Reilly, and Diane Lane are at the mercy of special effects and none of it is very remarkable. There is a vague subplot that involves William Fichtner as a former lover to the John C. Reilly character's wife but it really doesn't matter. This film exists purely for its production values despite its ad campaign boasting its true story bases. It is nearly two hours of torture watching these fisherman meet their death. What is the sense in that? All this work within a screenplay that isn't worth a dime of it. The best way to deal with a film of this disappointing nature is to flush it down the toilet so that it may ride the waves it deserves. Score: 2 / 10

Here is that rare film that boasts incredible special effects but is also deeply moving on a human level.Filmed, seemingly, in Gloucester, Mass., a coastal town that has lost thousands of fishermen to stormy gales over the years, this film offers both a gripping plot and wonderful casting.George Clooney is convincing as the conflict-ridden Capt. Billy Tyne, lacking his customary grooming but still ruggedly handsome. There is excellent ensemble work here, among Mark Wahlberg, John C. Reilly, William Fichtner, John Hawkes, Diane Lane, and Rusty Schwimmer. (I was surprised to find Karen Allen of the Superman movies listed on IMDb's cast list for this movie. Could that have been her as Lane's mother?) The effects here are awesome but I also thoroughly enjoyed the old-salt atmosphere conjured in the Crow's Nest tavern. Hearing Rod Stewart pounded out by the bar's stereo system was perfect! I had originally seen this film when it came out in theaters, and it has thoroughly stood the test of time.As stunning as it is poignant!

George Clooney was trying to shake off his Dr Doug Ross "ER" image and Mark Wahlberg was trying to shake off Marky Mark for good. As both give a strong performance with great support from character actors Michael Ironside, Dale Murphy, and a then unknown John C Reiley. Based on a fact based movie in which a 1991 New England ship got lost in the storm aka hence the title. As the crew led by George, as the crew is hard pressed for money. Despite fears of a thunderstorm, they reluctantly agree to go.Which will test them professional and personally. As they bond together despite their differences. But really it makes you think that it is real. You forget that they are actors.They are ordinary people that just want to make a living and put food on the table. As the storm nears, the men must lean on another to make it out. Easier said than done.George and Mark have since gone onto better and bigger things since this movie thirteen years ago!