Apple TV+'s 'Greyhound': Review

Tense, taught and thrilling, Tom Hanks' passion project trades substance for high stakes and nail-biting action

Tom Hanks in 'Greyhound' (CREDIT: Apple TV+/Sony)

by Jack Linsdell

Tom Hanks made his name in quirky, popular, romantic-comedies like Big and Turner and Hooch but has defined his career (and legacy) playing variations on the "modest American hero" in true life inspired dramas like Captain Phillips and Sully. In an era when audiences have migrated away from movie stars to IP and specific characters, it's quite remarkable (and a testament to Hanks) that "Tom Hanks as true life American hero" is still a big draw for audiences. And, although more commercial in nature than more of his Oscar-centric dramas like Bridge of Spies, Aaron Schneider's Greyhound is a lean, tense and gripping thriller that continues Hanks' career trend with excellence. 

Out of all the movies made about WWII, we've never had one on the Battle of the Atlantic - perhaps the most overlooked (yet just as significant) event of that atrocious global war. Hanks stars as Navy Commander Ernest Krause, whose assigned to escort an Allied convoy taking vital supplies to Britain across the Atlantic. His warship Greyhound (yes the title refers to the ship not the breed of dog) has to defend the precious supply ships from prying Nazi U-boats that threaten to strike upon them at any moment. And, that's all you need to know plot wise really. Sure, the movie specifically isn't "based on a true story" and Krause wasn't a real person either. However, A) it's probably based on a hundred true stories of Navy Commanders from the Battle of Atlantic and B) it gets a lot of credit for shedding light on a severely underepresented and important part of WWII. 

Anyway, Greyhound is a lean and mean "trapped in one place" thriller, whose mere 90 minute run time and kenetic pace allows little time for subplots or deep character development. Now, that's not a criticism as the Tom Hanks/Stephen Graham flick is evocative of a those old school thrillers from the 1970s, that substituted substance for tension and high stakes. Greyhound doesn't need big political subtext or deep, introspective character work to be effective. In fact, it's existence is merely to provide historically accurate entertainment in the form of a big-scale, nail-biting thriller. And, it does that very well. But, Tom Hanks' screenplay (which is based on C.S. Forester's novel The Good Shepherd) thrives on character "moments" rather than big arcs. There is a very poignant and subtly done ongoing situation where Krause's chef Cleveland (played brilliantly by Rob Morgan) tries repeatedly to bring him food, except Krause never has time to actually eat because he's called back into action again. It's these nuances that give Greyhound a sophistication without comprising its tension or commercial form. Also, Krause is a devoutly religious man, which puts him into some very interesting (and difficult) decisions that only further your respect for those stuck in such a vulnerable and "I could die at any moment" situation. 

Indeed, after a scene-setting introduction flashback between Krause and his love interest Evelyn (Elisabeth Shue in a "filmed during her lunch break" cameo), Greyhound spends it's entire runtime onboard the self-titled ship, with one foot on the accelerator until the end. It's very engaging, with plenty of stakes and high octane "what the hell is happening" action. It's Saturday night entertainment done well and without cheap spectacle or cliched action. 

If I was to complain at all then it's that despite a $50 million budget being put to good use and some excellent visual effects work, Greyhound does feel like a computer game. It lacks the authenticity and real world feel of Hanks' Saving Private Ryan or Captain Phillips and the practical action those flicks prioritised. Sure, the big-scale nature (both in terms of the size and number of ships, and the battle itself) of the movie would be virtually impossible to do all practically. But, Greyhound could have benefited from some more practical work. 

Anyway, Tom Hanks gives another sterling central performance, with able support from Stephen Graham as his second-in-command. But, some of the highlights are those unknown supporting actors who make up some of the ship's core crew. Considering their roles mainly consist of making answering a phone or flicking a switch seem dramatic, they do an outstanding job. Aaron Schneider competently directs them with well-staged and chaotically-thrilling action, not to forget a very tense and superb score by Blake Neely that certainly holds your attention. 

Overall, Greyhound is unlike Hanks' other American hero flicks. It's existence as a commercial, "lean and mean" thriller puts it far from any Oscar talk. But, that's almost the point. It's purpose, to provide an "edge of your seat" experience of what it was like to be in the Battle of Atlantic, allows Greyhound to be very entertaining old-style thriller. And, although it would have worked well as a theatrical release under Sony, it's new home as an Apple TV+ original allows folks stuck at home to enjoy a new, big Hollywood movie. Greyhound may not be plain sailing but it's one hell of a voyage. 

4/5 STARS