Movie Review ‘Greyhound’: Tom Hanks Sticks to What Works

Tom Hanks is to selfless saints what Billie Eilish is to loose clothing. You might say Hanks is obsessed; whenever there’s a soldier, plane, or ship to be saved, he wants to do the saving. Even if the only thing he stands to rescue is Matt Damon. As dedicated as Hanks is to self-mythologizing, though, I find it hard to be irritated with him, and I irritate easily.

Why do we still like this guy who tries so hard to be likeable? I think Hanks serves a role akin to America’s town clergyman: We want him to be good. We need him to be good. It’s been decades since actors really were role models, but Hanks actually wants to be one, and his striving is admirable.

About the Author

Kyle Smith

Kyle Smith is the film critic for the Wall Street Journal.

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Tom Hanks is to selfless saints what Billie Eilish is to loose clothing. You might say Hanks is obsessed; whenever there’s a soldier, plane, or ship to be saved, he wants to do the saving. Even if the only thing he stands to rescue is Matt Damon. As dedicated as Hanks is to self-mythologizing, though, I find it hard to be irritated with him, and I irritate easily.

Why do we still like this guy who tries so hard to be likeable? I think Hanks serves a role akin to America’s town clergyman: We want him to be good. We need him to be good. It’s been decades since actors really were role models, but Hanks actually wants to be one, and his striving is admirable.