After watching (and loving Pineapple Express), I made note to watch this film, which also stars the talented James Franco. I was glad I did because Annapolis turned out to be more enjoyable than I thought. There was good drama and I found it to be a really engaging movie.
The story is quite familiar: a young man is trying to pursue his dream against all odds: in this case, it’s Jake Huard (Franco) who has his heart set on attending the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Huard works at a shipyard, building vessels for the Navy, working for his father, who doesn’t seem to have faith in his son (we find out Huard’s mother died). Anyway, Huard’s application is successful but life is not so smooth in the academy − there is plenty of tension and frustration, and Huard even considers quitting (though he returns to prove his father wrong). One of his roommates attempts suicide, which prompts Huard to punch one of the officers, almost getting him expelled. But one thing I can’t really comprehend is how a fellow student gets kicked out for lying, and Huard punched lieutenant and isn’t immediately expelled from the academy.
Anyway, the main focus of the later half of the film is Huard entering a boxing tournament at the academy. Though no one really seems to believe in him, Huard shows admirable determination and I though the training montage featuring Huard was great. I couldn’t look away during the boxing scene, which I thought was really well done. It made me think that Huard might have had a good career as a boxer if he left the academy. Nevertheless, Huard actually loses the final match but the film ends on a realistic and positive note.
What I like about this film is it has a number of elements: drama, action, there is a clash of personalities, a love interest for Huard, and the expected clash with authority. Overall, Annapolis was well-worth seeing, with a good story and a strong skilful portrayal from the versatile James Franco.
4/5
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