PROFILES IN BADASS VOLUME I
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD
Welcome to Profiles in Badass, a column that aims to explore the plentiful backlog of lesser known cinematic badasses. We all know who the Terminator is, where Travis Bickle draws the line and that Jules Winnfield is trying real hard to be the shepherd. However, there are plenty of often overlooked characters’ with struggles and tests of their own that elevate them from the doldrums of mediocrity to the precipice of cinematic immortality. We aim to give these characters’ their due with a column worthy of their stalwart testicular fortitude.
Capt. Lucky Jack Aubrey
There’s no getting around it, Master and Commander is one underrated fucking movie. It is the epitome of male camaraderie, features a brilliant cast of characters and some truly awe-inspiring cinematography. While the film was overshadowed by the more crowd-pleasing first entry in the Pirates series, Master and Commander is undoubtedly the better film. While I have read criticism stating the film is too empty and doesn’t feature enough action, I couldn’t disagree more. From the moment the film opens until a good hour in, the pacing is relentless and action packed. This film is a great example of realistic consequences in the face of brutality on the open seas, examining themes of suicide, child dismemberment and loneliness, all the while keeping the examination of the human spirit alive and well. The anchor of that spirit is Captain “Lucky” Jack Aubrey, played by the admirable Russell Crowe.
As a Stranger once said, “Sometimes there’s a man…well…he’s the man for his time and place. He fits right in there…”. I can’t think of a better way to describe Lucky Jack. In the middle of a sea battle? Lucky Jack still has time to teach the kiddies how to use their Sextons. Ship damaged almost beyond repair? Time for a duet with the ships’ doctor to calm the nerves. Trying to find your enemy while he sails down the coast? Lucky Jack not only outpaces the enemy but circles back to meet him head on. Even when a the man uses a spyglass it carries the intensity of an entire trilogy of shitty Transformers movies.
Seriously, look at that posture.
There is a scene at the beginning of Gladiator where Crowe is walking amongst the ranks of his men while they all bow or salute to him. It is a scene of ultimate sincerity and admiration, showing devotion from his men and compassion from Maximus. Crowe essentially inhabits this attitude for the entire runtime of Master and Commander. His leadership is unparalleled, and while he isn’t perfect and men die under his command, he portrays himself as the ultimate seaman (hehe). His respect for the rank and loyalty to his men instills hope and bravery in his crew, an infectious effect that carries over to the viewer. Lucky Jack not only bests his enemy but he also can play a mean fiddle, and if ever there was a true test of a badass, it’s a man who can play a fucking fiddle.
Classy as fuck.
Without doting unjustifiably, Master and Commander is ranked amongst some of my favorite films, and it was only recently that it earned a coveted top tier spot. Why, you ask? Mostly because of Lucky Jack. There is a sense of wonder you get when watching a confident, steadfast paragon of morality lead a crew of rapscallions to war in the name of England. Plenty of characters fall prey to plot contrivances and ill-timed disasters to help poise their cinematic legacy as a true beast. Lucky Jack just lives and does his patriotic duty, but he does it in such a way that you believe that given the situation, you would gladly follow the man into battle. For these reasons and more, I nominate Captain Lucky Jack Aubrey to be spoken of alongside the greats as a cinematic badass.