dwoodliff

Wow! What a great movie. Wonderful performances from Tom Hanks and CZJ, and I would give a Best Supporting Actor nomination to the 85-year-old Indian actor who played the part of the janitor. One of the first things that caught my eye was the Fodor's guide carried by TH's character. Also, I thought the movie set was amazing. I don't know how closely it resembles JFK, but the terminal just looked so real. I would highly recommend this movie to travel buffs of all ages.

Donna

Gene

Donna, my wife and I saw it last night and were absolutely blown away. Tom Hanks has done it again, in an Oscar winning performance, as well as a great supporting cast.

Fodors should be happy with the scenes showing their travel folders which lent credibility to the story. I was also impressed by the scenes of the JFK terminal and all that is going on beyond the scenes in a terminal besides people buying tickets, and arrivals and departures.

The sad part was we went to a matinee Friday afternoon and we were the only people in the theater. This was a Multi-screen (12) and it was competing with Garfield and other new releases.

I'm sure it will do better, once word gets around.

SusieQQ

I saw it and was greatly disappointed. Certainly not up to the standards normally associated with a Tom Hanks movie. It just didn't do it for me!

jor

The producers wanted to film it in the real JFK but were refused. From what I have seen in the previews the movie set of JFK looks pretty impressive.

I haven't seen it yet. Tom Hanks also got stranded on a desert island and I thought the movie was terrible. I hope being stranded in an airport is better. Lots more to work off of. I hope I like it.

seetheworld

http://www.snopes.com/travel/airline/airport.htm

If you want to read an interesting article and about the man that The Terminal is based upon, the above is the link to do so. I looooved the movie - but the JFK depicted in the movie is much nicer and idyllic than the real-life JFK.

beachkomer

I saw it last night. It was cute, romantic, and worth an afternoon showing. It got a little long...but every traveler should see it.

I spent 4 hours at O'Hare today, and was remembering the movie as I walked around for hours....
So, two "Boarding Passes" up.

I am thankful to be home after an hour and a half on the runway, in line to take off...next to a 80 year old heavy man with B.O., trying to hack up a lung. (then another 1.5 hours in route...)

Sorry, to digress....sometimes traveling can be painful. (go to your 'Happy place'...like your favorite beach)

But, that doesn't stop me!

amyb

I saw it as well, mainly due to the article in Travel & Leisure on it. Actually, Spielberg never planned to film it in any airport due to the very real possibilities of security problems shutting down production. The story behind the building of The Terminal was indeed more interesting than the movie itself (about 40 minutes too long for the minimal plotline, IMHO).

Cassandra

Saw it. Enjoyed it. Don't think it's a classic or even a profound experience. Hanks does a good job with the character, so much so that I'd say it's actually not that great a film but raised to its full potential by Hanks' work. CZJ appears to be playing herself, or a younger (pre-preggers) self, which is appropriate to the part. But no one should go expecting a transforming experience, nor even a shread of reality about certain aspects of the plot or his survival strategies.

It's fun for people who've spent too much time in airports, and yes, Fodor's name is prominently placed.

Dan

The Terminal was full of product placement. It could have been underwritten by United Airlines if United actually had any money these days!

dwoodliff

The attention to detail in this movie was great. Although the film was happy/sad/thought-provoking, we laughed out loud numerous times. (Being easily amused, I'm sure I'll giggle the next time I see a wet floor sign.)

Seetheworld: I read the article at the link you gave about the man in the Charles de Gaulle airport. Although I'd heard about this before, I am skeptical. It sounds pretty far-fetched. (Also, I noted the words "Urban Legends" in the bar across the bottom of my computer screen.) I also read the info at the movie's website, which says the film is based on a screenplay by xxx and xxx (the names escape me). Nowhere did they give reference to the movie being based on a real person.

So, I'm curious, has anyone on this forum ever seen this person?

Mr. Speilberg, are you here? Tell the truth.

Donna

Cassandra

There is a statement at the beginning of the movie that says it was "inspired by" a guy's experience..... but that gives everyone a lot of leeway.

LN

We were also just thoroughly taken by the movie!!

Just think "NO foul language"
"No sex scenes"
"NO murders or rapes"

A good movie that keeps the laughs going - for me it's the best of the season.

jor

beachkomer, Oh thanks for telling me it is "cute" Now I don't think I want to see it. Paintings of little girls holding flowers and photos of puppies in a basket are "cute". Thanks a bunch!

Suki

saw it, really wanted to like it, but the holes in the plot were big enough to walk through. Do you think the scene where the officer meets her secret admirer before she agrees to marry him was edited out? Why would anyone like the CZJ character? She was a selfish crazy woman. Overall, it was a pleasant but diasappointing movie.

JJBhoy

Here's a link to a thread on the Europe boards re the original "unacceptable" man at Paris CDG:

http://www.fodors.com/forums_reg/pgM...hText=terminal

I went to see the film last night (it's just been released in the UK) & thought Tom Hanks was excellent. I enjoyed the first half very much but thought it went rapidly downhill as the CZJ "romance" story developed (for want of a better word). I also agree with Suki re holes in the plot although they might be better described as yawning chasms. Overall, however, I still thought it was worth seeing.

Best wishes from not so sunny Scotland.

Jim