Released two years after ‘Gladiator’, ‘Master & Commander’ takes Russell Crowe to greater heights as an actor and as an on-screen personality through his portrayal of a leader of men who will follow him to the ends of the earth to achieve even the impossible. Peter Weir’s film is as much a lesson in man-management as it is a compelling and thrilling adventure across the high seas.
The film revolves around the HMS Surprise, a British naval vessel patrolling the Brazil coast and its duel with a French privateer named Acheron, a bigger and more modern ship that has been given the mandate of looting and sinking any cargo laden ship that has the Union Jack on it. Having been surprised by the Acheron on more than one occasion, Captain ‘Lucky Jack’ Aubrey is determined to give it right back to the Acheron.
Weir has had a penchant for giving us stories that challenge their characters and explore the depth they possess. With ‘Master & Commander’, he takes this ability into a much more aggressive context of battle and comes up with a treatment that is both brutal as it is humane. If you have the mayhem of a dozen cannons going off the starboard battery taking down pieces of a ship and men with it, you also have some real intricate string work with the Captain and his doctor practicing their violin and cello. If it has seamanship, strategy and the desire to conquer, it also has love, respect and caring for a fellow-man. Truly a master-class in direction.
If you are watching it at home, raise the volume during the scenes of battle and admire the quality of sound effects. It also has a wonderful string-based soundtrack with the violin and cello that can warm your heart. In fact portions of this film are part of regular demo material if you ever go shopping for home theatre systems.
Russell Crowe is a leader in every sense of the word on screen. His booming voice, coupled with his imposing personality is perfect for the role of Jack Aubrey, a hard man but also a caring leader and father-figure to the men aboard the Surprise. His performance is extremely evocative and superbly balanced. He is lent a perfect foil by Paul Bettany who plays the ship’s doctor, a man who has little taste for war but is the soul mate that can challenge and balance an aggressive and ambitious man.
‘Master and Commander’ is another tribute to the triumph of the human spirit and a must watch for those seeking inspiration.
