Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Greyhound’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM. YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

When an audience settles in to enjoy a movie revolving around the Second World War, they more or less have an idea of what they are going to be in for. Because sadly, there is a level of predictability that comes with these types of motion pictures. In that, one expects our main characters to be taking part in a noble cause, one that reminds us of the glory of this incredible conflict and how good men did great things as they battled fascism in a faraway land. Plus, the heroes in question are made up of the finest parts of humanity. Which makes them genuinely incredible human beings through and through, who believe in morality and the cause over anything else. Which is something that audiences crave simply because that does indeed make for powerful storytelling. After all, who doesn’t want to see good people battling the evil that is the Third Reich?
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But the fact of the matter is, that particularly popular formula simply isn’t realistic in the slightest. Because the men that fought in this stunning conflict weren’t always able to have noble moments where they saved lives in legendary fashion. Nor were they always able to instantly inspire their squad or their crews to be the finest human beings to ever walk the earth. For it was everyday men that fought in this war, which means they were filled with doubt and fear and worry like the rest of us and sometimes they didn’t know what to do when the odds were against them. Which is why it is always refreshing to encounter a WWII movie that bucks the norms and offers up a realistic look at a war that was in fact, hell, and it just so happens that Tom Hanks’ latest offering on the last great war, takes the time to provide the audience with a harrowing and realistic look at this oft romanticized war in Greyhound.

Now in this particular tale we are introduced to Captain Ernest Krause, who is the skipper of the U.S.S. Keeling and when we catch up with him in this particular story, he is in the middle of the Atlantic on quite the important mission. For his flotilla of ships are heading to Great Britain to deliver supplies for the war effort, and it is up to his vessel, codenamed ‘Greyhound’, and his support ships to defend this convoy in a tough patch of sea known as ‘The Pit’. A place where there is no Allied air support, just the water and German U-Boats. Which sounds like a bit of a routine task for certain, but for Captain Krause it is anything but. For this is his first time in the captain’s chair and he will quickly be forced to figure out how to hold things together, and save this important convoy, when a skilled group of German submarine commanders, strike.

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If anything, that particular plot makes it sound as though this movie is indeed going to slide into predictable territory, since a great challenge for a great cause should transform Captain Krause into the prototypical perfect hero. But instead, that’s not quite the case. For it becomes apparent early on that Krause is in over his head, and that every challenge that is coming his way, wasn’t taught to him at the Academy. And to complicate matters further, it’s obvious that Krause is afraid and uncertain of how to proceed because he’s an everyman that’s been thrust into an extraordinary situation and that is what makes him so relatable and surprisingly, an inspiring character as well. Because despite the trouble he faces, he never gives up and he never lets the gravity of the situation bring him down, and he also takes the time to learn from his crew and the situation at hand in order to become a better commander and this was just refreshing to see in a World War II movie. Because it really does remind us of how everyday men were forced to be something more whether they liked it or not, and that’s what really made them admirable and wonderful heroes in history’s eyes.
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But another area where this motion picture shines, is in its presentation of naval combat. For often times in these films, we meet both the hero and villain commanders, and come to understand their respective perspectives, bringing a sense of honor to combat. But here, it’s presented for what it really is; outright terrifying hell. Because once the German fleet arrives, the movie kicks into overdrive and never lets up and the audience is forced to share in the same horror as Krause, wherein vessels explode in the middle of the night whilst the German commander taunts the fleet and this was a brilliant stroke of storytelling for certain. Because it really is a fine way to immerse the audience into the power of the moment, and the lack of rest for the crew, because the enemy is utterly unrelenting, simply wears on your senses and drags your spirits down. For it truly seems as though there may not be any hope for the fleet or Krause for that matter, and that makes the ending of this motion picture quite satisfying and powerful for certain when the captain finally figures out how to turn the tables on the enemy. 

Yet while the plot structure and character development make this movie worthwhile for certain, we would be remiss to not talk about the magnificent acting in this film. Because everyone brings their ‘A’ Game in this story, adding serious gravity to every tough moment in this tale, something further enhanced by the movie’s star; Tom Hanks. Because his sublime and subtle performance as Captain Krause truly brings together everything we’ve discussed, as only he can. In the end however, this is really is quite the unique World War II film. Because it genuinely strips away all the glorious mystique and Americana that tends to surround this conflict on the silver and small screen and presents it in the raw for the change, a decision that allows for this motion picture to become nothing more than visceral experience. One that stays with you long after it has come to an end thanks to its powerful and earnest presentation of the nature of war.

‘Greyhound’ is streaming now on AppleTV+.

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