To a sport fisherman, going after the big ones means coming back with a good trophy, the makings of a fantastic meal or one heck of a story. For those who make their living at sea, however, fishing literally can mean the difference between life and death. The rewards are great, as are the dangers, when working on a commercial fishing boat in rough waters.

The Perfect Storm, an adventure that's set on the high seas, tells the painfully true story of the Andrea Gail, a fishing boat with a home port in Gloucester, Mass. After coming back with a disappointing load of fish, Skipper Billy Tyne (George Clooney) decides to head back out to the North Atlantic to make more money. He convinces his best crew members, including a young novice named Bobby (Mark Wahlberg) to join him on this trip.

The Skipper's instincts prove to be correct, and it looks as if the crew will get fat paychecks this time around back in Gloucester. Unfortunately, their on board ice machine breaks down before the hold is completely full. To make sure their cargo stays fresh, the Andrea Gail turns back towards home, but this puts them straight in the path of some really bad weather. Three different storm systems are converging into what meteorologists call a "perfect storm."

George Clooney turns in an outstanding performance in The Perfect Storm, one of the best films ever made about making a living from the sea. Most of the action takes place on the boat, as the crew prepares the nets and traps before dropping anchor. When the storm hits, though, the crew gets knocked around the cabin and the deck without mercy.

The Perfect Storm proves that there really isn't much glamor in the commercial fishing industry. As portrayed onscreen, the Andrea Gail was equipped with a galley, a television and a VCR. The crew wears basic work clothes and some rubberized gear when working on deck.

Beautifully shot, The Perfect Storm puts the sea in the spotlight, showing that it can be the taker or giver of life.