Why is Stephen Speilberg so hit? or we wait for his films like we do for Yash Raj films? (Earlier Days) Speilberg is such an incredible director/producer that he makes a plot out of anything and delivers it with unmatched entertainment.
He does that yet again in this movie - The Terminal.
The plot of the movie is simple wherein Victor Navrosky (Tom Hanks) arrives at the New York internaltional airport from his home country - Krakozhia. The purpose of his visit is leisure cum business. He is on a voyage to have signatures of all the people who used to play in a Jazz band along with his father. The itinerary seems simple - Get the autograph and fly back....but there is some turbulence in the air......
The moment he lands in New York, he is climisht in a rare democratic/political situation beyond his control. The country he belongs to (Krakozhia) is facing revolution and the local movement had took over the nation. This indicates that a country called "Krakozhia" no longer exists and so does their citizens until any political settlements are arrived at!
At this point of communal urgency Viktor is technchandru021y a citizen of no country. And now he is @ JFK airport - USA with his passport and citizenship almost voided!! Or in different terms - America doesn’t recognizes him. He neither can be deported to his country (Which doesn’t exist) nor can he be allowed to enter USA - New York! So ultimately the only place where he can be or rather should be or forced to be is "The Terminal" of New York Airport!
Well, if you are at the place where you are not supposed to be then its simply asking for trouble! And here the trouble come in the name of Frank Dixon (Stanley Tucci). Frank is awaiting his promotion to become the Chief of the Airport and he is under supervision and appraisal process right at the airport. People like Viktor can easily become a bottleneck and hazardous for his promotion and career. So he tries every trick in the book to get him (Viktor) off JFK airport and on the other hand Viktor doesn’t want to leave without his purpose of visit is accomplished.....
The scenes between Tom Hanks and Stanley Tucci are so funny and to the point. Both are wonderful actors and you would just keeping watching them ditching each other. The introduction scene where Viktor appears before Frank is extremely funny. The officer just cannot explain that Viktor (A non English speaking fellow) cannot enter America! Watch out for this scene....its lovely indeed.
Its a normal procedure and a daily routine for Viktor to fill forms for entry in New York (Which gets rejected every day) and to work at the airport for his survival. During his long stay, he meets Amelia (Catherine Zeta Zones) an air hostess and couple of airport staff. Due to his good nature he befriends with all and tries to help everyone in need. Ultimately with the help of these friends he visits the Jazz maestro and gets his autograph.
Tom Hanks clearly steals the show with his unbelieable accent of Krakozhian citizen - what an actor he is!!! Seldom we see such a versatility and talent in an actor. I doubt if anyone would have done that role better than him.
All and all the movie is excellent with a light comedy and some serious moments. Some of the best moments that I like are:
Viktor meets Frank.
Viktor waiting for a call for work @ airport.
The Goat scene (The best of all)
Dinner sequence with Amelia.
Gupta stopping the plane.
Don’t miss this one if you come across it.
enjoy.