Summary

One of the greatest scenes ofTom Hanks' entire 44-year career is in a movie that just released on Netflix. He is one of the best actors in Hollywood.Movies that define Tom Hanks' careerdemonstrate his unbelievable acting range. He began in comedy, showcasing his knack for humor and charm, fromBosom Buddiesto Ron Howard’sSplash, toThe Money Pitalongside Shelley Long. However, his career truly took off in the late 1980s with the filmBig, where his performance as a child in an adult’s body highlighted his unique ability to blend innocence with comedic timing.

The 1990s were a defining decade for Hanks, with his performance inPhiladelphiaearning him his first Oscar, followed by roles inForrest Gump, which won him a second Oscar and became a cultural phenomenon, andSaving Private Ryan, considered one of the greatest war films ever made. One ofTom Hanks' best movieswasToy Story, where he cemented his versatility. Within such an illustrious career, this movie has one of his best-acted scenes, and it just dropped on Netflix.

Split screen of Tom Hanks

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Captain Philips Is Now On Netflix - What The Movie Is About

A Ship Gets Hijacked By Somali Pirates

Now streaming on Netflix,Captain Phillipsis a biographical dramamovie based on the true storyof the 2009 hijacking of the Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates. Tom Hanks stars as Captain Richard Phillips, the ship’s commanding officer who is taken hostage by the pirates, led by their ruthless leader Muse, played by Barkhad Abdi in one of thebest performances by a non-professional actor. The plot centers around the intense standoff between the crew and the pirates, ultimately focusing on Phillips' harrowing ordeal and his struggle to survive.

Captain Phillipswas nominated for six Academy Awards, nine BAFTA Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. The only award it won, however, was the BAFTA for Barkhad Abdi (Best Actor in a Supporting Role).

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Directed by Paul Greengrass,Captain Phillipsreleased in 2013 to positive reviews, with an impressive 93% onRotten Tomatoes.Critics and audiences alike commended the film for its intense and realistic depiction of the hijacking. Indeed, apirate expert found thatCaptain Phillipsaccurately depictsthe dangers and tactics used by Somali pirates when boarding larger ships.The film’s tension is further heightened by Greengrass’s signature handheld camera work and documentary-style realism, which immerses the audience in the chaotic and high-stakes environment of the hijacking. Hanks' performance was also a crucial aspect of the movie’s success.

Captain Phillips' Ending Scene Has One Of Tom Hanks' Best-Ever Performances

He Humanizes The Heroic Character

After Captain Phillips is rescued, Hanks portrays a man reeling from profound shock and trauma with such raw authenticity that it is almost unbearable to watch.

Tom Hanks delivers a masterful performance throughoutCaptain Phillips, but it is the final five minutes of the film that truly stand out as some of his finest acting. After Captain Phillips is rescued, Hanks portrays a man reeling from profound shock and trauma with such raw authenticity that it is almost unbearable to watch. While the movie could have ended with his heroism in leading his crew to survival,it chooses to humanize its protagonist, depicting the personal toll it takes on him.

As medical personnel examine him, the once composed and determined captain breaks down as he begins to process the horrors he has endured. With his fragmented speech and distant gaze, Hanks renders this deep psychological and emotional turmoil with immense empathy. As Phillips' begins to cry,Tom Hanks' performance ensures the audience, too, heaves a collective sigh and releases the biting tension held throughoutCaptain Phillips. This scene stands among Hanks' best work, even within his towering filmography across nearly five decades.

Captain Phillips

Cast

Starring Tom Hanks, Captain Phillips tells the story of the titular captain whose cargo ship was hijacked by Somali pirates in 2009. A fictionalized version of real-life events, the film follows Captain Phillips and his crew as they fight for their lives against a group of Somali pirates led by Abduwali Muse. Besides Hanks, Barkhad Abdi and Catherine Keener also star.