APOLLO 13
A film review by Deb Taylor
Copyright 1995 Deb Taylor
I read LOST MOON just recently and found it to be fascinating, but I wondered about the book's translation into film, whether or not the truly hair-raising events of Apollo 13 would become entangled in the engaging but smaller events in life of Jim Lovell, astronaut.
Last night, at a sneak preview showing of APOLLO 13, I was pleased to see that Director Ron Howard decided to concentrate on "America's most successful failure" with outstanding results. Not only was I completely riveted by this excellent dramatization of real-life events, but I was caught up in the concept that three men in a tiny capsule, thousands of miles from Earth, can still make the whole world look up to something much larger than themselves. (Of course, sitting for over an hour and a half in the cramped, hard seats of the University auditorium gave APOLLO 13 more than a little sense of virtual reality for me personally).
The casting was near perfect. Tom Hanks played Jim Lovell as a smart, humorous, and truly brave individual who knows what leadership means--no matter what the circumstances. The supporting cast was a treat, including Kathleen Quinlin as Mrs. Lovell. ILM, which I understand did most if not all of the space flight footage, should probably get an Oscar. The sound-track was powerful without being obtrusive.
This is a definite *must see* movie for 1995. Go, even if you witnessed the original harrowing Apollo 13 mission (like I did) starring Walter Cronkite. This movie is really about a phenomenal rescue, a subject all us love.
Yup, it makes ya proud to be an American!
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