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A Nuclear Review
For the second issue of our script review marathon, we decided to review a highly anticipated project. K-19:The Widowmaker is Harrison Ford's next project. The film has just begun shooting and I'm really looking forward to see the final product. Today, the honor of reviewing a script goes to my Editor and good buddy John Shea. Comeback next Monday or else you'll be in Big Trouble.
'K-19:The Widowmaker' Script Review
"On July 4, 1961, the Soviet Hotel-class nuclear ballistic submarine K-19 developed a leak in its primary cooling circuit during exercises in the North Atlantic. The leak resulted in the reactor beginning to overheat. The crew had to develop a patchwork solution on the fly to try and restore cooling to the reactor. To make these repairs, the crew would be required to work for long periods in areas of high radioactivity.
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| K-77 Juliett |
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| K-77 Juliett |
There has been much in the news about the objections of the survivors of the K-19's maiden voyage to the script. Reportedly they are very unhappy with the portrayal of the Russian navy as a collection of incompetent drunkards. I can see their point in the early phases of the script but in general I think that is too quick a judgment. Drinking problems are definitely present in the beginning of the script. But instead of incompetence I see a nation trying desperately to keep up with its enemy, abandoning safety precautions in that haste. The script conjectures that the K-19's mechanical failures were the direct result of it being sent to sea before being properly tested and checked. Chances are that no changes could be made that would satisfy the Russian navy and still make for a plausible story.
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| Nikolai Zatayev |
Yenin is pretty much the polar opposite. He gets along very well with the crew and they love him for it. He is far less concerned with perfection, being satisfied with good enough. Usually when a movie features two total opposites like this it becomes one of those buddy films where they have to learn to work with one another. This is not such a movie. Zatayev only barely tolerates Yenin because he needs his expertise. Their relationship is described as chilly at best. Don't expect a lot of snappy banter between these two. It's just not that kind of movie.
This is a submarine movie and it follows the time honored requirements of a sub movie. We get the scene where the crew gets one night of serious partying before leaving for sea. We get the scene where the sub is tested at depths past what is recommended. But the similarities stop there as this is not a movie about sub warfare. There are no scenes of missiles being fired or depth charges being dropped above. Here the danger is the sub itself. The awkward nature of the ship's command, the rawness of the crew and a catastrophic mechanical failure makes for an interesting situation.
Overall I enjoyed the script. It could stand a bit of polishing to remove some rough spots but at it's core this is a fascinating story. I really liked the friction between Zatayev and Yenin. The script avoids making either of them the good guy or the bad guy. They both have their good points and their weaknesses. They are almost constantly at odds even though they seek the same outcome. On the down side the script has its fair share of clichés. Too many times I kept thinking that a scene reminded me of a previous sub movie. More often than not I was reminded of Das Boot, which of course isn't a bad thing but I would have liked a bit more originality. There is a subplot involving Zatayev's marriage but it is woefully underwritten to the point where it adds only confusion to the story. I'd like to see that fleshed out a bit. It helps to humanize the cold Zatayev but it is fairly difficult to get a good grip on his relationship with his wife. Perhaps when shown visually it will be clearer but on the page it's a bit lacking.
If directed well this movie could create enormous tension. It does a nice job of developing both a physical and mental series of hurdles for the characters to get past to survive. A subtle touch will be needed though. The highly dramatic nature of many characters' actions in the final act could easily come off as hokey if the proper restraint isn't shown. I also worry a bit that audiences without much historical knowledge may be somewhat confused by the behavior of the Soviet government in getting the K-19 constructed so quickly. A quick text introduction might help them get into the movie smoothly. That's a pretty minor nit-pick though.
Overall the script works well as a dramatic story. That's pretty impressive considering that it needs to be factually accurate because it is being produced by National Geographic. All too often in the movies, artistic license is taken for the sake of entertainment. Let's hope that this is one movie that can teach as well as entertain."
(Review by John Shea)
You Game?
Last year, I created a private group at Yahoo's Oscars Pick'em game. The challenge was really amazing and it was also extremely fun. We're doing it again this time around. In order to join the group, just go to http://moviegames.yahoo.com/oscars, create a pick set and choose "Join a Private Group." Then, when prompted, enter the following information...
Group ID#: 4555
Password: tnmc
Stay tuned...
That's all folks...
Jean-François Allaire (aka DeadPool)
Questions, comments, praise etc. Email me at deadpool@tnmc.org
Jean-François Allaire is TNMC's first columnist. At only 24 years old he has become a respected entertainment journalist, with his columns appearing in Corona's Coming Attractions and Scr(i)pt magazine. He also writes a monthly column in Screenwriters Monthly entitled 'The Last Word.' Hailing from Montreal this young writer is determined to dig up all the details on the movies before they hit your local theater. If you're part of a movie production then you really need to be talking to him.
