Who would’ve thought that a movie about a guy stuck in an airport would strike such a chord during a global pandemic? Yet here we are, 20 years after its release, talking about how The Terminal became a surprise hit during lockdown.
Back in 2004, Steven Spielberg brought Sacha Gervasi’s script to life with Tom Hanks in the lead role. The Terminal tells the story of Viktor Navorski, a man stranded in an airport when his fictional home country descends into political chaos. While the film was well received upon release, it found new relevance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a recent episode of the “Script Apart” podcast, Gervasi shared some fascinating insights into the film’s creation. “Airports are places we all want to get through as quickly as possible, get out of,” he remarked. “And there was an irony to, ‘oh, this guy’s stuck here, and by the way, he loves it.’” Little did Gervasi know that his screenplay would resonate so deeply with audiences facing a form of confinement years later.
Stuck in Place: Art Imitating Life
As lockdowns and travel restrictions became the new normal, Viktor’s predicament suddenly felt all too familiar. Sacha Gervasi’s script, which initially seemed like a quirky “what-if” scenario, now reflected a collective experience of feeling trapped and disconnected from the world.
The Terminal’s airport setting, once a symbol of transience and movement, became a metaphor for restricted environments. Viktor’s ability to create a life within these confines offered a blueprint for those of us struggling to adapt to our new, limited circumstances.
One of the film’s strengths, which became even more apparent during the pandemic, is its focus on life’s small pleasures. Sacha Gervasi’s script is peppered with moments of simple joy — Viktor’s improvised meals, his budding friendships with airport staff, and the small victories in navigating his unusual home. Gervasi, in his interview with the “Script Apart” podcast, discussed how these moments were developed and how they added depth to Viktor’s character, making the film relatable to viewers during the pandemic.
Gervasi discussed how he developed these moments: “I spent quite a lot of time at Heathrow and at JFK when I was first writing the script, researching it.” This attention to detail paid off, creating a rich, believable world that viewers could lose themselves in during uncertain times.
Sacha Gervasi: Tom Hanks ‘Brought His Own Tom’ to the Role
It’s impossible to talk about The Terminal without mentioning Tom Hanks’ portrayal of Viktor. Hanks brought warmth and depth to the character, showing us how to find purpose and connection even in the most challenging circumstances. During the podcast, Gervasi shared how Hanks’ involvement elevated the project: “Tom said, ‘I want to do this movie,’ because he was responding to that character of Viktor Navorski, the character was there, then he brought his own Tom to it, which just sort of amplified what was there.
“Generally when an actor, I’m sure many of the screenwriters that will be listening to this will know, that generally an actor doesn’t attach to a script unless they’re feeling that character. It has to be there for them to be able to play and then they add their stuff. But the narrative arc, the journey, the soul, they’re always going to add behavior. They’re going to add different things to it, but the cake is there even if they’re adding their own icing. And so it was there and that was sort of why the movie got made was because Tom really sparked to it.”
Kindness and Community in Crazy Times
At its heart, The Terminal is a story about forming connections and finding community in unlikely places. Viktor’s relationships with the airport staff — from the stern customs officer to the friendly food service workers — highlighted how small acts of kindness can create a sense of belonging, even in the strangest situations.
This message hit home for viewers navigating a world of social distancing and virtual interactions. As we found new ways to support each other, the film reminded us of the power of human connection, no matter the circumstances.
The Terminal serves as a master class in resilience, a quality everyone needed in spades during the pandemic. Viktor’s journey of adapting, persevering, and maintaining hope became a metaphor for our collective experience.
Sacha Gervasi’s script, with its balance of humor and heart, showed us that it’s possible to not just survive, but thrive in unexpected circumstances. As he noted, “The reality is that [we] strip away the layers and it doesn’t take that much work. And we discover these kinds of very common human characteristics that maybe don’t present as obviously with some of the characters I’ve been interested in telling the stories of, but really are fundamentally quite similar to us. And I think that that universality, that commonality, is something that I’ve always looked for because the similarities are greater than the differences, more often than not.”
The Terminal‘s Lasting Impact
As The Terminal celebrated its 20th anniversary earlier this year, its pandemic popularity proves its timeless appeal. The way it explores themes of isolation, human connection, and resilience struck a chord with people during a global crisis, reminding them of the power of storytelling to provide comfort, insight, and hope.
Sacha Gervasi’s reflections underscore the film’s enduring relevance: “Here we are 20 years later, talking about a film I was involved with a long time ago, and people are still seeing it and discovering it.” The Terminal’s journey from a quirky concept to a source of solace during a global pandemic is a testament to the power of great storytelling.
Who knew an airport could teach us so much about life? The Terminal certainly did, and that’s why it’s still touching hearts two decades later, particularly in times when we all felt a little bit stuck.
