Release Date: July 19, 2002
Starring: Harrison Ford, Liam Neeson
Directed by: Kathryn Bigelow
Written by: Christopher Kyle
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (mature themes, disturbing images)
Considering the infamous submarine movies of the past -- such as Crimson Tide, The Hunt for Red October, and Das Boot -- it becomes perplexing how anything new or innovative can be added to the genre. And while Kathryn Bigelow’s K-19: The Widowmaker is told from the relatively unused Russian point of view during the Cold War, audiences have already seen stories told from a non-American perspective (the aforementioned Das Boot springs to mind). K-19 has its fair share of clichés, but it also has much to say about heroism, courage, and honor, and it includes a pair of great performances from stars Liam Neeson and Harrison Ford.
Set in 1961 at the height of the Cold War, the Russian nuclear submarine K-19, nicknamed “The Widowmaker” because of the number of crew members killed during its construction, is being prematurely rushed into service to prove to the Americans that Russia is prepared for retaliation if the U.S. were to launch a preemptive nuclear strike. Captain Mikhail Polenin (Neeson) has voiced his disapproval with the substandard construction of the submarine meant to get it into the water as quickly as possible, but this only causes his demotion and replacement by Captain Alexi Vostrikov (Harrison Ford, What Lies Beneath). Polenin and Vostrikov clash early and often, as the latter’s questionable methods determine the fate of his men and the ship when its nuclear reactor begins leaking dangerous radiation throughout the sub.
There is the obvious cliché of the mutiny among the crew aboard the submarine (think Crimson Tide), one of many during the first half of the film. Other submarine movie rehashes include taking the boat to crush depth, relentless drills foreshadowing emergencies to come, and an uncontrolled surfacing of the submarine.
The plot becomes fairly suspenseful towards the second half of the film, however, when the sub’s nuclear reactor starts to leak. Ford’s and Neeson’s characters are faced with decisions that both men have different solutions for -- Ford plays his role as K-19’s new captain with an unyielding hard-headedness and cockiness that seem to come naturally to the actor, while Neeson contrasts Ford’s performance with his own as K-19’s former, more benevolent captain.
Harrison Ford’s performance is the driving force of the film until the second-half plot development of the more or less unseen nuclear reactor emergency. The veteran actor initially and deliberately induces the audience to dislike him by conveying negative qualities not usually associated with his all-American action-hero persona. His character literally runs a tight ship, and Ford gives him a grizzled sternness that makes the contrast between Neeson’s compassionate, comradely character even more effective.
Another reason for the film’s thick tension is that director Bigelow (Strange Days) really captures the tension of the Cold War era. Although the movie takes place mostly within the submarine, the setting accurately represents the time period in various ways. For instance, the audience is given a good look at the politics behind the risky launch of Russia’s most powerful nuclear submarine through debates among admirals and other higher-ups in Moscow. The old black and white footage of Russian propaganda used to show the misconceptions of the American way of life and promote Communism also helps the audience identify with the Russians’ side of things.
Once this background is established, Bigelow can draw sympathy from the audience when viewers come to the realization that these are just ordinary men trapped in a situation that calls for extreme heroism and sacrifice. Each member of the crew, regardless of rank, undergoes a transformation by the end of their ordeal and is forever changed.
K-19: The Widowmaker, once it breaks away from the traditional submarine movie clichés, becomes a stunning filmed embodiment of heroism and honor. Knowing that it’s based on true events makes it a more effective story, and one that leaves an even greater lasting impact.
all contents © 2002 Ed Malinowski