In 1960, a hardy group of prep school students boards an old-fashioned sailing ship. With Capt. Christopher Sheldon at the helm, the oceangoing voyage is intended to teach the boys fortitude and discipline. But the youthful crew are about to get some unexpected instruction in survival when they get caught in the clutches of a white squall storm.
The 20 or so minutes we spend with the Albatross in the squall is high adventure, to be sure. Everything else is ballast.
– Jack Mathews,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Feb 2001
fresh:
Typically, Bridges gives a deftly understated performance uncluttered by vanity or shallow pathos. No wonder he's not a star.
– Peter Travers,
Rolling Stone,
12 May 2001
rotten:
Despite great scenery, the distinctive visual ideas of Mr. Scott (Alien, Blade Runner) and the strong dramatic presence of Mr. Bridges, most of White Squall remains listless and tame.
– Janet Maslin,
New York Times,
20 May 2003
fresh:
This particular landlubber felt like jelly for the rest of the day, notwithstanding the hokey courtroom showdown that closes the picture.
– Trevor Johnston,
Time Out,
26 Jan 2006
rotten:
The filmmakers take a rather facile, anachronistic "Oprah"-esque approach toward the boys' feelings about their families and the Skipper's role as a "tough love"-minded surrogate father.