Review
Review Date: 16-November-03
Spoiler Rating: Medium
Juju Judgment: Just OK
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
Whoever produced the trailer for "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" did an excellent job of creating the impression of a historical action-adventure that would satisfy fans of "Gladiator," "The Count of Monte Cristo," and "Pirates of the Caribbean." Yet the high seas cat-and-mouse chase promised in the preview turns out to be a tease, merely serving as the framework upon which the bulk of the movie resides. Boasting solid performances and Peter Weir's typically careful direction, "Master and Commander" is nevertheless a surprisingly subdued and rather dull film about life aboard a British naval ship circa 1800. As such, it seems geared toward fans of the books on which it is based, but not the average moviegoing crowd.
At the beginning of the film, Captain "Lucky" Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) and the gallant lads of the HMS Surprise are nearly crippled by a sudden attack from the Acheron, a top-of-the-line instrument of pillage and destruction that flies the colors of the emperor Napoleon. Despite their narrow escape and the technological superiority of the foe, Lucky Jack decides to pursue her around Cape Horn and into the Pacific for motives involving both personal and professional pride. In this quest, Jack enjoys the faithful obedience of every man and boy on his crew, with the minor exception of the ship's doctor (Paul Bettany), whose status as both an intellectual and a best friend allows him to question the captain's actions.
Most of "Master and Commander" takes place during the weeks required to catch up with the Acheron, meaning that the action mainly involves on-board confrontations and the daily tasks of the military sailor. Several members of the ship's crew receive names and personal histories (notably young Max Pirkis as Blakeney, the Oliver look-alike forced to grow up awfully fast under the paternal eyes of Lucky Jack and the doctor), but none of them can carry the tale on his own. Unfortunately, Crowe and Bettany can't shoulder this task either, their sexiness and mutual chemistry offering a pleasant but only moderately engaging diversion. (Also, entirely too much time is spent on lamenting the poor doctor's desire to study the fauna of the Galapagos. Frankly, if he views this as a priority, he has no business being on the king's battleship during wartime.)
Without much in the way of combative stimulation or character development, the significance of the film devolves upon its attention to historical and nautical detail, in which it appears to succeed (at least to a layman's eye). For anyone at all fascinated with lost cultures and ways of life, "Master and Commander" does present an interesting look at the social and practical laws of an organization that had at one point mastered a good chunk of the earth. It's amusing to watch Jack and his officers combine the seemingly contradictory lifestyles of the rough seaman (drunkenness, hard living) and the gentleman (music, fine dining), and to watch how hierarchy, camaraderie, and superstition permeate all levels of the ship (which is almost a character itself). The crude medical practices of the day provide a few jolts of surprise, as does the multigenerational makeup of the crew. But after watching how expert and devoted the career sailor had to be, one can see that a boy destined for the life would want to get started as soon as possible.
Absent the aspects of documentary, however, "Master and Commander" wouldn't have much wind in its sails. It generates about the same level of excitement as someone else's photo album: it's kind of interesting while you're looking at it, but doesn't hold any real meaning.
Copyright © 2003 The Jujube (M. I. Kim). All rights reserved.
