The Perfect Storm

“I'll be asleep, and all the sudden there he is, that big smile. You know that smile. And I say, 'Hey, Bobby - where you been?' but he won't tell me. He just smiles and says, 'Remember, Christina: I'll always love you; I loved you the moment I saw you; I love you now; and I love you forever. There's no goodbyes - there's only love, Christina; only love. Then he's gone. But he's always happy when he goes so I know he's got to be okay - absolutely okay.” (05/07/2005)

A great film with a surprising, non-Hollywood ending – but since it’s based on a true story, they couldn’t end it in any other way. Otherwise, had I seen it on TV, I would give it three stars, because the way the people at ILM created those stormy seas can only be enjoyed in the big screen. But I’m not saying anything new. (06/02/2002)

If only Petersen hadn't tried to stretch the film so unnecessarily. The story with the rescuers is nice, but if it had just played out on the radio, it would have had the same effect and the film wouldn't have been so drawn out. I appreciate the excellent sea scenes; they are more than just well executed, they are very believable. The guys are quite good, but Diane Lane is terrible. At least the ending is not unnecessarily American. (07/27/2015)

The acting is handled brilliantly (Clooney's captain in particular is more than believable), there's nothing to criticize about the directing (the final sound flashback leaves a significantly more positive impression than I originally thought), but because of the screenplay, it is unable to get past the routine, familiar patterns of the genre. (07/13/2023)

The cast is great, the visual effects are excellent and the film’s dramatic poetics are also pleasant – it’s not just another popcorn, eye-candy disaster movie. The script, however, is too contrived, unoriginal and predictable, as if it was written at the last minute. What, for example, was that secondary storyline with the helicopter rescue of the boat passengers supposed to mean when it was in no way related to the rest of the film’s plot? (05/27/2002)