The Perfect Storm (2000)

An unusually intense storm pattern catches some commercial fishermen unaware and puts them in mortal danger.

Director:

Wolfgang Petersen

Writers:

Sebastian Junger (book), William D. Wittliff (screenplay) (as Bill Wittliff)

Stars:

George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, John C. Reilly

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 25 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
George Clooney	...	Billy Tyne
Mark Wahlberg	...	Bobby Shatford
John C. Reilly	...	Dale 'Murph' Murphy
Diane Lane	...	Christina Cotter
William Fichtner	...	David 'Sully' Sullivan
John Hawkes	...	Mike 'Bugsy' Moran
Allen Payne	...	Alfred Pierre
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio	...	Linda Greenlaw
Karen Allen	...	Melissa Brown
Cherry Jones	...	Edie Bailey
Bob Gunton	...	Alexander McAnally III
Christopher McDonald	...	Todd Gross
Michael Ironside	...	Bob Brown
Rusty Schwimmer	...	Irene 'Big Red' Johnson
Janet Wright	...	Ethel Shatford

Storyline

In October 1991, a confluence of weather conditions combined to form a killer storm in the North Atlantic. Caught in the storm was the sword-fishing boat Andrea Gail. Magnificent foreshadowing and anticipation fill this true-life drama while minute details of the fishing boats, their gear and the weather are juxtaposed with the sea adventure.

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Plot Keywords:

fish | fishing | sea | death | seastorm | 

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Taglines:

In the Fall of 1991, the "Andrea Gail" left Gloucester, Mass. and headed for the fishing grounds of the North Atlantic. Two weeks later, an event took place that had never occurred in recorded history.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language and scenes of peril

Did You Know?

Trivia

Irene is the only made-up character in the whole movie.

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Goofs

When Whalberg falls on top of the pilot-house, he moves about 3-5 feet closer to the white 'barrel' (life boat?) between the overhead and close-up shots.

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Quotes

Moss: What in Jupiter's Balls?

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Connections

Referenced in Secrets in the Walls (2010)

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Soundtracks

The Big Rock
From Pale Rider (1985)
Written by Lennie Niehaus

User Reviews

A stellar cast delivers a stellar performance.

It is inescapable fact that it is very difficult to take real-life events and translate them into an interesting and thrilling movie. Ron Howard perfected the art with "Apollo 13" and now Wolfgang Petersen continues on with "The Perfect Storm".

This story of Gloucester, MA. fishermen who go out for one last try at a big payoff in a slumping season packs quite a wollup once they get caught up in an event that had never before been recorded: the perfect storm. From there, you have to suspend belief just a bit and drink in the events occurring aboard the Andrea Gail. It's not tough, as the cast delivers them perfectly.

George Clooney may have played his signature role as Capt. Billy Tyne, skipper of the ill-fated Andrea Gail on that fateful day in 1991. Clooney comes off as neither overly glamorous, or bigger than life, but as a simple common man just trying to break his fishing slump and bring home a big payday for his boss, his crew, and himself. When George relaxes and puts himself into a role, he is better off, and Capt. Tyne is the pinnacle of that for him.

Mark Wahlberg comes on board as Bobby Shatford, a rookie fisherman who is trying to make a better life for himself and his girlfriend Chris (nicely played by Diane Lane). Bobby is the only character given equal depth to Billy and comes off with the same impression: a good guy who was trying hard to make a better life. Very nicely done here as well.

Supporting cast is good, John C. Reilly as Dale "Murph" Murphy, William Fichtner as David "Sully" Sullivan, a late arrival to the Andrea Gail's crew, Michael Ironside as the profit first Bob Brown. All of these stellar characterizations and serve brilliantly to put you into Gloucester of 1991.

Wolfgang Petersen has created a gripping film, full of chillingly realistic special effects. He skillfully took Sebastian Junger's novel and tweaked it to fit the confines of the motion picture screen. Casting and acting by all involved was perfect and you never once feel like anything is overacted or overly dramatic, just that you are somehow involved with the fear that had to have been involved on that night.

4 1/2 out of 5

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros.

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 June 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Perfect Storm

Filming Locations:

Gloucester City Hall - 9 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$140,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$41,325,042, 2 July 2000

Gross USA:

$182,618,434

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$328,718,434

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Baltimore Spring Creek Productions, Radiant Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX SDDS (8 channels) DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1