Greyhound Review: 6 Ups & 3 Downs

4. The Gritty & Emotional Style

If the trailers for Greyhound suggested a more conventional, slushy war movie full of sentimental drama and chintzy action, Greyhound is actually something quite different.

Schneider, whose directorial debut was the polar opposite drama Get Low, brings a level-headed grittiness to the movie in even its more bombastic moments, ensuring that what we're seeing feels never less than authentic.

The scenes set within Greyhound's interior feel almost docu-style in their approach, defined by tight, close-up coverage of the cast, and a wealth of believably impenetrable naval dialogue.

Though the film is undeniably lacking developed characters, that doesn't mean it's also missing a heart or soul.

The sheer fraught nature of the situation makes it easy to empathise with these men - aided by how much we all love Tom Hanks, admittedly - and Schneider also finds soaring emotion in a few unexpected places.

The story reaches an affecting swell at its climax, yet like the rest of the movie opts for a restrained approach, refusing to lay the sentiment on too thickly with saccharine music or cornball dialogue.

There's a modest dignity to it which many war films could take note of (looking at you, Midway).