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By CityAnnapolis
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Annapolis"I'm not quitting"
2006-02-01
Article Written by: Sami Jo
The first thing to do when joining any branch of the service, whether you enlist in active duty or attend the academy, is to rid your inner demons and believe in yourself. Jake Huard (James Franco) takes on this task in Annapolis. He grew up building ships across the river from the Naval Academy, and keeping his promise to his mother, he got accepted to the academy off the waiting list. With little support from those closest to him and lacking self-esteem, Huard follows his dream with a chip on his shoulder.
As an audience member, it’s almost easy to get too caught up in the bone structure of Franco’s face to notice the flaws within the storyline. Why wouldn’t a guy who went to the Governor’s office 37 days straight to get a recommendation have the drive to know more about the Academy? Wouldn’t knowledge of the campus be part of the hometown advantage? Sure, he’s from the wrong side of the tracks, but in general story telling, isn’t it the people from the wrong side of the tracks who know the most about the tracks? Also, isn’t it against military code to fraternize with people of higher ranking?
Aside from a slightly flawed storyline, the film meets its purpose. It entertains. The film is another step in the right direction for James Franco (Spider Man 2), whose performance is sure to attract him a number of new fans. Tyrese Gibson (2 Fast 2 Furious), soon to be typecast, plays another hardened tough guy who serves to teach a lesson. The best supporting-role performance was given by Donnie Wahlberg (HBO’s “The Band of Brothers”) who played Lieutenant Commander Burton, one of the few that supports Huard’s admittance into the Academy.
One possible error in casting was hiring Jordana Brewster (The Fast and the Furious) to play Huard’s love interest. Either the writers needed to include more intimate moments between Huard and Ali or Franco and Brewster seriously lack on-screen chemistry. Brewster herself is a very attractive woman with talent, but she appeared too soft to play a military officer.
