THE TERMINAL

“The Terminal” mainly explains and describes a complicated story about Victor Navorsky (Tom Hanks), a citizen of a fictional country called Krakozhia. He plans to visit New York City, but doesn’t manage to make his way through. As soon as setting foot into New York City’s John F Kennedy International Airport, he gets extremely surprised to discover that his visa and passport has been rejected by the officials due to his country, Krakozhia is in perilous Civil War that causes the president and other leaders to be slaughtered sadistically by rebel forces. This leads to an establishment of a new government system that states all traveling rights are to be suspended. Thus, the United States of America has no other alternatives, but to have Viktor spent over the next nine months in the international transit area due to his being eligible for any refugee status or has committed a crime.

            Acquiring poor English, Viktor has to struggle a lot with the hard life in the airport until his visa is reissued. He is unable to either enter New York City or go back home. During his stay in the J.F.K Airport, he makes friends with a cleaning service man, Gupta Rajan (Kumar Pallan), a security, Mulroy (Chi McBride), and Enrique Cruz (Diego Luna) including a flight attendant, Amelia Warrant (Catherine Zeta-Jones), while being watched rigorously by an immigration Officer, Frank Dixon (Stanley Tucci) who disfavors his existence and expects his disappearance from the airport.

            “The Terminal” which is directed by Steven Spielberg gained academic award for its wonderful and enlightening story. In this movie, Tom Hanks implies that it’s unnecessary to speak English fluquently if only we want to make friend with Americans. What matters most is your desire and determination to do so. It is showed that Victor Navorsky who just arrives from his own country and knows nothing about English, but he can manage to make friends with almost everybody he meets in the airport. He even goes out for a few dates with Amelia although their friendship doesn’t last long. This film teaches us many things about social life, friendship, love, America cultures, and how significant determination is.

            Beside of its wonderful story, the acting of all actors/actresses is also magnificent. Tom Hanks has successfully convinced all the audiences that he’s completely a fool with the incapability of speaking English by utilizing his excellent Russian accent. Catherine Zeta-Jones also has succeeded in attracting everybody’s interest via variety of touching expressions., especially in a romantic scene when Tom Hanks/Victor gives her a priceless gift in a form of a water-fond for her birthday.

            Despite containing some kissing scenes, “The Terminal” is still viewable to Indonesian teenagers because there wouldn’t be any problems as long as they are accompanied by their parents while watching this movie. Exciting! Two thumbs up! “The Terminal” deserves the highest applaud. It can get you aout of your stressful problems since it is very funny.

Adapted from: "Road to Succeed National Exam English Subject"