The Finest Hours Movie Poster Image

The Finest Hours

age 12+
(i)

 

Death-defying rescue comes alive in intense drama.
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Parents recommend
  • Review Date: January 29, 2016
  • Rated: PG-13
  • Genre: Drama
  • Release Year: 2016
  • Running Time: 117 minutes

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What parents need to know

Positive messages

Trust yourself and your instincts, and you'll know the correct course of action. Also, when duty calls, you must rise to the occasion. 

Positive role models

Ray Sybert puts his crew's lives above all else, thinking of creative ways to get them out of the disaster they find themselves in. Bernie Webber is trustworthy, honest, and willing to put his life on the line to save others.

Violence

Frequent danger/peril. Boats break apart upon hitting rough waves. A man is killed trying to go from a large ship to a smaller rescue boat. An extended scene shows a ship attempting to cross a sandbar in the middle of an historic storm.

Sex

A kiss. 

Language

Infrequent swearing includes "jackass," "screw," and "hell."

Consumerism

Few product mentions. A Coors sign is visible. 

Drinking, drugs, & smoking

Social drinking by adults.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to that The Finest Hours -- set in the 1950s and based on the U.S. Coast Guard's greatest small-boat rescue mission -- brings to life a sometimes-terrifying piece of history. Expect scenes of peril and frightening natural violence, with waves knocking characters (played by the likes of Ben Foster, Chris Pine, Eric Bana, Casey Affleck, and more) around like toys, bodies slamming against the decks of ships, suspenseful boat vs. ocean moments, and allusions to other accidents that claimed lives. But beyond the tension and danger, the movie is on the mild side; language isn't stronger than "jackass" and "hell," drinking is limited to some social imbibing by adults, and a chaste kiss is as steamy as it gets. It also offers heroic characters overcoming the odds and a superficial, though notable, meditation on life and death.

What's the story?

Based on real-life events, THE FINEST HOURS chronicles what's considered the greatest small-boat rescue in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard. In the winter of 1952, a massive storm rocks New England, ripping two oil tankers in half near Cape Cod. On the splintered half of the Pendleton, Ray Sybert (Casey Affeck) and other crew members toil ceaselessly to keep their half of the ship afloat as they wait for rescue. Meanwhile, Coast Guardsman Bernie Webber (Chris Pine) is on a boat with three others racing to save the Pendleton crew, but it's not clear whether they'll make it across a sandbar safely and reach the men before it's too late. 

Is it any good?

QUALITY

The Finest Hours at first plays like a throwback film, portraying without irony or insight the sexism of its day; but once it hits the water, the scenes of peril and suspense manage to rescue it. Some of the plot developments can be spotted entire oceans away, but a strong cast and great special effects -- which, like the memorable visuals of The Perfect Storm, reveal the monstrous power of the sea -- pull it from the brink of disaster. 

Families can talk about...

  • Families can talk about how movies like The Finest Hours depict intense historical events. Is it easier or harder to watch disturbing scenes knowing they really happened? How much scary stuff can kids handle?

  • What's the appeal of movies based on real-life events? How important is historical accuracy in a movie like this? Why might filmmakers decide to change some facts? How can you find out more about what really happened?

  • How do the characters demonstrate courage? Why is that an important character strength?

Movie details

Theatrical release date:January 29, 2016
DVD release date:May 24, 2016
Cast:Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Eric Bana
Director:Craig Gillespie
Studio:Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Genre:Drama
Topics:History
Character strengths:Courage, Integrity
Run time:117 minutes
MPAA rating:PG-13
MPAA explanation:intense sequences of peril

This review of The Finest Hours was written by

S. Jhoanna Robledo
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are conducted by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

Quality

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  • Best: Really engaging; great learning approach.
  • Very Good: Engaging; good learning approach.
  • Good: Pretty engaging; good learning approach.
  • Fair: Somewhat engaging; OK learning approach.
  • Not for Learning: Not recommended for learning.
  • Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

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Parent Written byQuietDan January 31, 2016
age 13+

Bernie is Odysseus, struggling against all odds to return to Miriam, his Penelope.

A lot of reviewers are pooh-poohing the Miriam/Bernie romance, and yet it is central to the story in my opinion. One of the few differences between Bernie's previous failed rescue and the current rescue is his love interest and investment in Miriam. One of the most beautiful scenes, in my opinion, has Bernie and his crew with 32 survivors and no compass to guide them back to home. Bernie bows his head down in a silent prayer, and there is a cut-away back to Miriam, who essentially hears his prayer and turns her car lights on at the home dock, triggering all others on shore to do the same, which becomes the beacon that guides them all home. Very beautiful in its understatement. There is one original story, the Odyssey, and so many stories are just a retelling of that ancient story. Bernie is Odysseus, struggling against all odds to return to Miriam, his Penelope.
What other families should know
Great messages
Great role models
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Teen, 13 years old Written byAstroPhysics February 6, 2016
age 12+

Great Movie

This movie is a beautiful tale of heroism and friendship, and I really enjoyed going to see it. The special effects are breathtaking, and the whole movie is very dramatic and good overall. The woman is strong, and pushes her boyfriend (the main character and coast guard man) around a lot. Overall, this is a great movie and everyone should see it.
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Parent Written byFluffman1234 February 16, 2016
age 2+
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