Film Review: Wind (1992)

In a time when many people are preoccupied with the World Cup, it is good to be reminded that there are much older and presumably more prestigious sports competitions in the world. The oldest among them is America’s Cup, sailing yachts competition which has been held since 1851. Despite its age and tradition, for most of its existence it never caught popular imagination, mostly for two reasons. One is the elitist nature of the sport, which requires time and money that is available almost exclusively to the upper echelons of society. The other was its predictability – from 1851 till 1983 all competitions were won by New York Yacht Club. Everything changed in 1983 when Australian team led by John Bertrand ended Americans’ century-long winning streak by defeating US skipper Dennis Conner. What happened the next is subject of fictionalised account in Wind, 1992 sports drama directed by Carroll Ballard.

The protagonist, played by Matthew Modine, is Will Parker, helmsman on the yacht owned and run by Morgan Weld (played by Cliff Robertson), tycoon who is going to defend America’s Cup. Will is having relationship with Kate Bass (played by Jennifer Grey), ship designer who is also an accomplished yachtswoman. He wants her on the crew during the competition, but this is overruled by Weld. Will reluctantly agrees with the decision leading to the end of relationship. Weld proves to be overconfident and ultimately loses the America’s cup to Australian team led by Jack Neville (played by Jack Thompson). Will is devastated but gets an idea that he can redeem himself if wins another America’s Cup and bring the trophy back to USA. He contacts Kate who now lives in Nevada with eccentric aircraft engineer Joe Heiser (played by Stellan Skarsgård) and trio now begins working on a new revolutionary design for the boat and sails. He also starts relationship with Weld’s spoiled daughter Abigail (played by Rebecca Miller), who would help them provide money and sponsors to build the boat that would ultimately challenge Australians.

1983 America’s Cup was first dramatised on screen in 1986 Australian miniseries The Challenge which celebrated triumph of Australian underdogs over American favourite. The Hollywood feature film, unsurprisingly, shows what happened next and how Americans triumphed in their rematch. Despite that, Wind for the most part looks very realistic and visual impressive. Carroll Ballard was experienced director whose family sports drama Black Stallion was a big hit. He does very good job in sailing scenes, providing a lot of action and excitement, helped by cinematography by John Toll. Those scenes, made with the help and advice or real yachtsmen, are lauded by many sailboat enthusiasts for the accuracy and realism. Ballard is aware that some many in the audience wouldn’t have clue what is going on, so cleverly gives proper exposition with the use of television commentary and even some computer graphics. Unfortunately, when the action goes ashore, Wind loses much of its attractiveness. Plot is overcomplicated by overlapping and not particularly convincing romantic triangles, and melodrama makes the film look cheaper than it actually is. Lack of chemistry between Modine and Grey doesn’t help either, although it is compensated a bit by spirited performance of Stellan Skarsgård in one of his early Hollywood roles. Another problem is excessive length. Wind is nevertheless mostly good film, but it can only be properly enjoyed by true fans of the sport.

RATING: 5/10 (++)

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