The Terminal (2004)
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60% of critics liked it
(199 reviews) -
72% of users liked it
(376,685 ratings)
Shot almost entirely on a two-and-a-half-story recreation of a full-size operating airport terminal, this romantic comedy from director Steven Spielberg revolves around an Eastern European man by the name of Viktor Navorski (Tom Hanks), whose plans of immigrating to New York were hastened by a… More Shot almost entirely on a two-and-a-half-story recreation of a full-size operating airport terminal, this romantic comedy from director Steven Spielberg revolves around an Eastern European man by the name of Viktor Navorski (Tom Hanks), whose plans of immigrating to New York were hastened by a violent coup in his home country. Unfortunately, Viktor finds himself on the wrong end of a nasty technicality while en route to America: His passport was issued from a country, which, during its upheaval, ceased to exist in an official capacity. Unauthorized to leave Kennedy Airport upon his arrival and unable to return home, Viktor finds himself exiled inside the terminal's international transit lounge. Though airport official Frank Dixon (Stanley Tucci) views Viktor as an annoying bureaucratic glitch, other airport employees -- including a beautiful flight attendant by the name of Amelia (Catherine Zeta-Jones) -- come to see him as a welcome, if unofficial, addition to their numbers. As the days stretch on into months, the terminal transforms from an intimidating atmosphere of forced assimilation into a country within itself, complete with culture, ambition, status, complex diversity, and the need for love. The supporting cast includes Diego Luna, Chi McBride, Kumar Pallana, Zoe Saldana, Eddie Jones, and Jude Ciccolella. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi
- Directed By
- Steven Spielberg
- Written By
- Sacha Gervasi, Jeff Nathanson
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Jun 18, 2004 Wide
- Studio
- DreamWorks SKG
Critic Reviews
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Peter Rainer, New York Magazine
It's an odd fable: Viktor is the mysterious visitor who shows us what the American Dream is all about-in the movie's terms, compassion for others -- without ever wanting to become an American himself.
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David Denby, New Yorker
Even in the desolation of an airport lounge at midnight, Viktor is too pure, we realize, to entertain the ghost of a dirty thought.
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Rex Reed, New York Observer
A feel-good film of such originality and sweetness in a summer of otherwise derivative sequels and remakes that it practically qualifies for miracle status.
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Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
The concept was there; the production abilities were there. It's the execution that fell apart.
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Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
This is the first time in my life I wanted to spend more time in an airport terminal, and Spielberg is just such a brilliant filmmaker; the things he does with light and with motion and some amazing tracking shots.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Tom Hanks
as Viktor Navorski
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Catherine Zeta-Jones
as Amelia Warren
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Stanley Tucci
as Frank Dixon
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Chi McBride
as Joe Mulroy
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Diego Luna
as Enrique Cruz
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Barry Shabak-Henley
as Thurman
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Barry Shabaka Henley
as Ray Thurman
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Kumar Pallana
as Gupta
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Zoe Saldana
as Delores Torres
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Eddie Jones
as Salchak
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Jude Ciccolella
as Karl Iverson
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Corey Reynolds
as Waylin
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Guillermo Díaz
as Bobby Alima
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Rini Bell
as Nadia
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Stephen Mendel
as First Class Steward
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Valery Nikolaev
as Milodragovich
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Michael Nouri
as Max
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Benny Golson
as Benny Golson
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Carl Alacchi
as Passenger
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Carlease Burke
as Brookstone Manager
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Robert Covarrubias
as Janitor
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James Ishida
as Yoshinoya Manager
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Mik Scriba
as Transportation Liaison
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Terry Haig
as CBP Inspector
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Mark Ivanir
as Cab Driver Goran
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Ana Maria Quintana
as Government Inspector
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Cas Anvar
as CBP Officer
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Bob Morrisey
as Government Inspector
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Kevin Ryder
as Businessman
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Jeff Michael
as Anchor
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John Eddins
as CBP Officer
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Kenneth Choi
as CBP Officer
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Stephon Fuller
as Swatch Manager
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Carlo Allen
as Drums
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Dan Finnerty
as Discovery Store Manager
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Anastasia Basil
as La Perla Employee Julie
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Dusan Dukic
as Young Drug Trafficker
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Scott Adsit
as Cab Driver
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Kevin Mukherji (II)
as Soundworks Dave
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Michelle Arthur
as Field Reporter
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Sasha Spielberg
as Lucy
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Susan Slome
as Woman With Cart
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Lydia Blanco
as Burger King Employee
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Lee Joseph Davis
as Burger King Employee
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Tonya Ivey
as Godiva Employee
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Conrad Pla
as CBP Officer
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Danette Mackay
as CBP Officer
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Ian Finlay
as CBP Officer
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Janique Kearns
as CBP Officer
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Eddie Santiago
as Man on Phone
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Matt Holland
as Ramada Inn Clerk
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Buster Williams
as Bass
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Mike Ledonne
as Piano
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Dilva Henry
as Anchor
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Thinh Truong
as Passenger
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Sandrine Kwan
as Passenger
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Tanya Van Blokland
as Passenger
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Evelyne De La Cheneliere
as Passenger
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Laurie Meghan Phelps
as Homeland Security Officer



