This compelling documentary follows the crews of two rival tugboats throughout an entire "tugging season" (beginning in mid-February and continuing through Guy Fawkes Day in November) as each ship strives to tug more ships than the other. The opening credits feature a dazzling split-screen, musically-driven sequence reminiscent of A Hard Day's Night, right down to the McCartney-esque phony mustache worn by one of the captains to evade a harbor master to whom he owes some paperwork.
Right from the start, we learn that we are dealing with two very different captains with different styles and ways of getting things done. Capt. Cunk of the Mako is a cold, serious man who loves staring at the horizon. By contrast, Capt. Besame of the H.M.S. Theodore Q. Tugboat is a vibrant, loving man who enjoys doting on his crew and spoiling his favorites with hard candies, and who takes great pride in announcing that his "cabin door is always open if anyone wants to chat about anything." In one memorable scene, Capt. Besame orders his men to abandon ship due to an engine fire. After the men jump overboard, Besame informs them through tears of laughter that the ship is not on fire, but that he thought they needed a "swim break."
When the crew of the Mako loses a bet to the crew of the TQT, the Mako is forced to take on a female crew member. The remainder of the film follows the crew's attempt to adapt to the woman, and accept her on her own terms. Also, one of the captains dies in a hailstorm, but it's not really relevant to the story arc.
All in all, Tugs is a fascinating look at the tug boat industry, but it is not without its faults. First, everyone in the film is apparently nicknamed "Tug," "Tugs," "Tuggy," or "Tugger," which makes things very confusing. Second, the constant double entenderes and punning on the word "tug" in reference to masturbation get old very quickly. Still, the film has much to love, not least of which is Director Liam Geese's choice to forego the tired "animal as a plot element" gimmick that has tarnished many otherwise laudable movies of late (think the rabbit in Mr. Persistence).
Mild but humorous sexist remarks; threatening remarks.
No comments:
Post a Comment