Summary
- Tom Hanks' versatile acting career includes standout roles in films like Big, Forrest Gump, and Saving Private Ryan.
- Captain Phillips, now on Netflix, is a biographical drama based on the true story of a hijacked ship, with Hanks portraying the ship's commanding officer.
- Hanks' final five minutes in Captain Phillips showcase a masterful, emotionally charged performance, humanizing the protagonist and earning praise.
One of the greatest scenes of Movies that define Tom Hanks' career demonstrate his unbelievable acting range. He began in comedy, showcasing his knack for humor and charm, from Bosom Buddies to Ron Howard's Splash, to The Money Pit alongside Shelley Long. However, his career truly took off in the late 1980s with the film Big, where his performance as a child in an adult's body highlighted his unique ability to blend innocence with comedic timing.
The 1990s were a defining decade for Hanks, with his performance in Philadelphia earning him his first Oscar, followed by roles in Forrest Gump, which won him a second Oscar and became a cultural phenomenon, and Saving Private Ryan, considered one of the greatest war films ever made. One of Tom Hanks' best movies was Toy Story, where he cemented his versatility. Within such an illustrious career, this movie has one of his best-acted scenes, and it just dropped on Netflix.

Tom Hanks' 15 Highest-Grossing Movies, Ranked According To Box Office Mojo
Tom Hanks has built an astonishing filmography over the years, and his movies hit it big at the box office more often than not.
Captain Philips Is Now On Netflix - What The Movie Is About
A Ship Gets Hijacked By Somali Pirates
Now streaming on Netflix, Captain Phillips is a biographical drama best performances by a non-professional actor. The plot centers around the intense standoff between the crew and the pirates, ultimately focusing on Phillips' harrowing ordeal and his struggle to survive.
Captain Phillips was nominated for six Academy Awards, nine BAFTA Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. The only award it won, however, was the BAFTA for Barkhad Abdi (Best Actor in a ing Role).
Directed by Paul Greengrass, Captain Phillips released in 2013 to positive reviews, with an impressive 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics and audiences alike commended the film for its intense and realistic depiction of the hijacking. Indeed, a pirate expert found that Captain Phillips accurately depicts the dangers and tactics used by Somali pirates when boarding larger ships. The film's tension is further heightened by Greengrass's signature handheld camera work and documentary-style realism, which immerses the audience in the chaotic and high-stakes environment of the hijacking. Hanks' performance was also a crucial aspect of the movie's success.
Captain Phillips' Ending Scene Has One Of Tom Hanks' Best-Ever Performances
He Humanizes The Heroic Character
After Captain Phillips is rescued, Hanks portrays a man reeling from profound shock and trauma with such raw authenticity that it is almost unbearable to watch.
Tom Hanks delivers a masterful performance throughout Captain Phillips, but it is the final five minutes of the film that truly stand out as some of his finest acting. After Captain Phillips is rescued, Hanks portrays a man reeling from profound shock and trauma with such raw authenticity that it is almost unbearable to watch. While the movie could have ended with his heroism in leading his crew to survival, it chooses to humanize its protagonist, depicting the personal toll it takes on him.
As medical personnel examine him, the once composed and determined captain breaks down as he begins to process the horrors he has endured. With his fragmented speech and distant gaze, Hanks renders this deep psychological and emotional turmoil with immense empathy. As Phillips' begins to cry, Tom Hanks' performance ensures the audience, too, heaves a collective sigh and releases the biting tension held throughout Captain Phillips. This scene stands among Hanks' best work, even within his towering filmography across nearly five decades.

Captain Phillips
- Release Date
- October 11, 2013
- Runtime
- 134 Minutes
- Director
- Paul Greengrass
Starring Tom Hanks, Captain Phillips tells the story of the titular captain whose cargo ship was hijacked by Somali pirates in 2009. A fictionalized version of real-life events, the film follows Captain Phillips and his crew as they fight for their lives against a group of Somali pirates led by Abduwali Muse. Besides Hanks, Barkhad Abdi and Catherine Keener also star.
- Writers
- Billy Ray, Richard Phillips, Stephen Talty
- Studio(s)
- Sony
- Distributor(s)
- Sony, Columbia Pictures
- Main Genre
- Biography
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