Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
Director: James Marsh, Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
Cast: Colin Firth, Rachel Weisz, David Thewlis, Jonathan Bailey
Here is the true story of amateur sailor Donald Crowhurst, who took his dreams out to sea and was defeated. His attempt to win the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race, in 1968, resulted in tragic consequences.
He wanted to be famous, but there was also pressure on a boat at sea that showed no mercy. He set off in the competition to be the first person to sail non-stop, single-handedly around the world. He was unprepared for the voyage, lacked sufficient funds, his boat was inappropriate and no match for the monster waves of the Southern Ocean.
Three Oscar winners have pivotal roles in The Mercy. Two Academy Award-winners are in the main acting roles. Colin Firth (The Kings Speech, Kingsman: The Secret Service) depicts the hard-to-believe true story of Crowhurst, an amateur sailor who competed in the race in the hope of circumnavigate the globe without stopping.
Weisz (My Cousin Rachel, The Lobster) portrays his wife, Clare, who along with their children is left behind as Crowhurst puts his business and house on the line. He hesitantly embarks on an adventure on his boat the Teignmouth Electron.
A durable mystery, it has been directed by Academy Award-winner James Marsh (Man on Wire, The Theory of Everything) and the producers of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
The biopic is considerate, unnerving viewing which sheds some light on an unfathomable maritime mystery.
