The Next Reel Film Podcast

Did this story really play out this way or did they Hollywood-ize it? Who does the worst New Englander accent? And do sperm whales really get this aggressive? Tune in to this week’s show to get answers to these questions and more!

Show Notes

There have been a number of stories written about the tragedy of the whaling ship The Essex. The captain wrote about it. His first mate wrote about it. And as it turns out, one of the cabin boys wrote about it as well. The recounting by this cabin boy, Thomas Nickerson, became the primary source for Nathaniel Philbrick’s 2000 novel “In the Heart of the Sea,” which was the source for the 2015 film version. It’s hard to argue with many of the facts as reported in the sources because they’re generally comparable. The film, however, takes more licenses with accuracy. Did it need to? Or does it work this way? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Aquatic Killers series with Ron Howard’s 2015 film In the Heart of the Sea.

We talk about why this film feels like a perfect film for our wheelhouse... and debate about why it fell so flat in the end. We look at changes made to the original story and wonder if the changes work or make it worse. We chat about the performances from the solid cast... and ponder how almost every one of them can butcher the accent so much. We discuss the whaling and sailing aspects of the film and how generally impressed we were with their depictions. We talk about sperm whales and the realities of them. We look at the construction of the script and how it feels like it peaks midway through. And we look at technical aspects that work for us – Roque Baños’ score – and that we struggled with – some of Anthony Dod Mantle’s cinematography choices.

It’s a film that’s engaging to watch but feels like it has constant problems. We find it to be an interesting watch, but largely leaves us flat. It provides for a great conversation though, so check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!

Film Sundries

Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership — visit TruStory FM.


Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:
The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:
Connect With Us:
Shop & Stream:

Creators and Guests

Host
Andy Nelson
With over 25 years of experience in film, television, and commercial production, Andy has cultivated an enduring passion for storytelling in all its forms. His enthusiasm for the craft began in his youth when he and his friends started making their own movies in grade school. After studying film at the University of Colorado Boulder, Andy wrote, directed, and produced several short films while also producing indie features like Netherbeast Incorporated and Ambush at Dark Canyon. Andy has been on the production team for award-winning documentaries such as The Imposter and The Joe Show, as well as TV shows like Investigation Discovery’s Deadly Dentists and Nat Geo’s Inside the Hunt for the Boston Bombers. Over a decade ago, he started podcasting with Pete and immediately embraced the medium. Now, as a partner at TruStory FM, Andy looks forward to more storytelling through their wide variety of shows. Throughout his career, Andy has passed on his knowledge by teaching young minds the crafts of screenwriting, producing, editing, and podcasting. Outside of work, Andy is a family man who enjoys a good martini, a cold beer, a nice cup o’ joe. And always, of course, a great movie.
Host
Pete Wright
#Movies, #ADHD, & #Podcasting • Co-founder @trustory.fm🎥 The Next Reel Family of #Film Podcasts @thenextreel.com🎙️ Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast @takecontroladhd.com📖 Co-author of Unapologetically ADHD • https://unapologeticallyadhdbook.com

What is The Next Reel Film Podcast?

A show about movies and how they connect.
We love movies. We’ve been talking about them, one movie a week, since 2011. It’s a lot of movies, that’s true, but we’re passionate about origins and performance, directors and actors, themes and genres, and so much more. So join the community, and let’s hear about your favorite movies, too.
When the movie ends, our conversation begins.