In 2009, the first pirate attack on an American cargo ship in 200 years took place. The Mv MAERSK Alabama was boarded by armed Somalians who took Captain Richard Phillips hostage. Director Paul Greengrass' tense adaptation of these circumstances is a relentless white-knuckler, managing to keep the audience in suspense even though the outcome is assured. Tom Hanks is in top form as the heroic captain, a man who is constantly engaged in a battle of wits with his captors. He is not an action movie hero Hollywood is used to feeding us. Here is a man who is stripped of any physical ability to defend himself or his crew. His attempts to outsmart the invading pirates do little other than buy him time. But it is valiant of him to even try to save himself and his crew. "Captain Phillips" is a portrait of courage as much as it is a topical thriller. Barkhad Abdi burns up the screen in the pivotal role of the pirate leader. The film is top-notch in every respect, and also nominated for Best Picture at this year's Oscars.
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