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Viktor Navorksi (Tom Hanks) falls into a bureaucratic crack in the system when his plane lands at New York's JFK airport from the fictitious country of Krakozhia. Unbeknownst to Navorski, his country fell prey to a military coup while he was in flight, causing it to be wiped from the map. This effectively renders his passport null and void, meaning he cannot legally enter America, nor return to his now nonexistent home. Barely able to speak English, the hapless Navorski is offered a sanctuary of sorts by kindly staff who allow him to freely inhabit the airport. With little money to his name, Navorski has to quickly shed his feelings of displacement, confusion, and alienation to survive. Fortunately he has a resourceful nature, and makes a meager amount of money for food by returning baggage carts. As time passes he becomes more comfortable with his surroundings, even finding time to pursue a passing stewardess, Amelia (Catherine Zeta-Jones), who has captured his heart. But airport denizens such as customs chief Frank Dixon (Stanley Tucci), who is a constant thorn in Navorski's side, remind him of his outsider status throughout the ordeal. Director Steven Spielberg uses the airport setting of THE TERMINAL to represent a microcosmic view of the immigrant experience in American society. Drawing on a fine performance from Hanks, and a supporting cast who provide plenty of laughs, Spielberg handles some delicate subject matter with an acute sensitivity, providing a heartfelt tale in the process.Read full review
Tom Hanks plays Viktor Navorshi, a Krakozhian citizen, who arrives at New York's Kennedy airport following an overnight coup in his country. With civil war raging, the U.S. has suspended diplomatic relations, meaning that Viktor's passport is now null and void. He cannot enter the U.S. or return to Krakozhia. So, he is temporarily a resident of the International terminal. Viktor only came to the U.S. to fulfill the dream of his deceased father, who was a tremendous jazz enthusiast. In 1958, Viktor's father saw a picture in a Hungarian newspaper entitled "Great Day in Harlem". The photograph had the names and pictures of 57 jazz musicians, and Viktor's father vowed to get the autographs of all. Having optained 56, he died needing one more, tenor saxophonist Benny Golson, and Viktor came to New York expressly for his autograph, to complete his father's dream. Now, just a few miles away, he is trapped in the airport terminal, and forbidden to leave. Being very social, Viktor has managed to befriend all of the airport workers, from janitors, to customs workers, shop keepers, and food merchants. He even has sort of a relationship with a stewardess who passes through weekly, Amelia Warren (Katherine Zeta-Jones). She is infatuated with a married man who is just using her, but she just can't put him down. Viktor falls for her, but not being able to leave the terminal. . . A one point, he even gets an "off the books" construction job with a contractor renevating several gates at the terminal. The head of security at the terminal is a real jackass of a guy, Frank Dixon (Stanlet Tucci). This guy is Viktor's, defacto, jailer. He is up for promotion, and desperately wants to get rid of Viktor, but is afraid to do anything illegal to get rid of him. He won't afford anyone any reason to block his promotion. He tries to tell Viktor that if he just leaves the terminal, he can enter the U.S.A., but Viktor is an honest man, and he won't break the law either. During an evaluation of Dixon, a former Russian state individual is found to be in possession of medications for his dying father in Russia. He legally purchased the meds in Canada, but with the plane making an unscheduled stop in NYC, he is found to have illegal drugs because he has no importer license. Unwilling to be compassionate, Dixon tells his people to confiscate the drugs. Called in to translate, Viktor sees the man crying and begging them not to take the pills. After months of reading Customs law, Viktor intervenes saying that the drugs are for a sick goat, rendering them legal, since they are not for a human. Viktor has made Dixon looks like the cold, heartless, person that he is in front of the inspectors and from now on, Dixon does everything he can to screw Viktor. After nine months in the terminal, Viktor's country finally stabilizes, and he can enter the USA, but his visa requires Dixon's signature, and he refuses. Threatening to fire or deport several people who work in the terminal for minor things stemming from their help to Viktor over the months, Viktor relents, and decides he just can't complete his mission. But just as Viktor is going to leave, all of the airport workers come forward and help him leave the terminal. With the help of one of the security people, Viktor gets in a cab and makes it to the hotel where Benny Golson is appearing. With the final autograph in hand, and his father's dream complete, Viktor hails a taxi, telling the driver, "I am going Home".Read full review
Viktor Navorksi (Tom Hanks) falls into a bureaucratic crack in the system when his plane lands at New York's JFK airport from the fictitious country of Krakozhia. Unbeknownst to Navorski, his country fell prey to a military coup while he was in flight, causing it to be wiped from the map. This effectively renders his passport null and void, meaning he cannot legally enter America, nor return to his now nonexistent home. Barely able to speak English, the hapless Navorski is offered a sanctuary of sorts by kindly staff who allow him to freely inhabit the airport. With little money to his name, Navorski has to quickly shed his feelings of displacement, confusion, and alienation to survive. Fortunately he has a resourceful nature, and makes a meager amount of money for food by returning baggage carts. As time passes he becomes more comfortable with his surroundings, even finding time to pursue a passing stewardess, Amelia (Catherine Zeta-Jones), who has captured his heart. But airport denizens such as customs chief Frank Dixon (Stanley Tucci), who is a constant thorn in Navorski's side, remind him of his outsider status throughout the ordeal. Director Steven Spielberg uses the airport setting of THE TERMINAL to represent a microcosmic view of the immigrant experience in American society. Drawing on a fine performance from Hanks, and a supporting cast who provide plenty of laughs, Spielberg handles some delicate subject matter with an acute sensitivity, providing a heartfelt tale in the process.Read full review
"The Terminal" has a lot going for it. It has the crowd-drawing director, actor, actress, and a plot that would make anyone say, "how in the world?" And for the most part, it lives up to it. Hanks is absolutely amazing in his role. I forgot it was him for the majority of the film, and though that should be par for the acting course, it's not for many actors. He loses himself as Victor, and he's not afraid to lay it out for his character. He changed his walk, stance, everything for Victor. It's the complete package, and Hanks never misses a beat. Spielberg delivers what you expect: excellent directing. There are so many little touches in the background during the entire film that you sit and smile when you catch it, and when a scene comes off as completely coherent, you realize there was so much reinforcing what had occurred. The typical (of recent films anyway) Spielberg lighting comes into play frequently, and it makes for a lovely film. He got such a marvelous performance from Hanks and the rest of the cast...must be a really famous director, eh? Catherine Zeta-Jones had a smaller role than I expected, but she still pulled a decent performance. I believed her, for the most part. A couple scenes, no, but for the most part. The supporting cast of Victor's airport friends is marvelous. The chemistry between them and Hanks is great, even with Hanks not speaking English very well. I really like those characters, and the actors pulled it off brilliantly. The script is good, dialogue believable, and story followable and lovable. My only complaint with the film is that it seemed a little drawn out at points. It's about 2 hours, and I thought it could've been shorter. But the subplots keep you entertained, and you really grow to appreciate the characters. There are some fascinating character developments and studies in this one. You'll want to think when it's over, though you may not know what about. "The Terminal" may not be what you expect; but it is a good film, with comedy throughout and some nice dramatic moments too. I recommend it. Enjoy Hanks' brilliant work!Read full review
I will never watch this movie again. It was honestly one of the most boring movies I've ever seen. It was unrealistic and corny. I had to stop watching about 2/3s way into. I should have stopped earlier in. Also, Hanks was also VERY mis-casted in this which made it even more unrealistic.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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