Castaway

Tropical Island Paradise?

Main Cast: Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt, Nick Searcy, ‘Wilson’

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Tom Hanks is an American treasure. With so many hit movies and Oscars to his credit, we can’t help ourselves we jump up to see his latest releases. Cast Away is his latest movie, and promises to be a major box office draw this holiday season.

Almost everyone has seen the previews for this film, so you should already know the basis of the plot. Don’t worry, I won’t give away any details  I want you to experience the movie by watching it, not by reading my epinion! If you’re like me, you questioned whether Tom Hanks could pull this one off. Could he make us believe that he could survive alone on a deserted island for four years? Could he keep our interest without having another actor with whom to interact? Of course he can he’s Tom Hanks, and this movie, once again, proves what a fine actor he is!

In Cast Away, Hanks plays Chuck Noland, a dedicated FedEx worker  maybe a bit too dedicated. Chuck is a typical workaholic overbearing in his managerial style, jumping each time his beeper vibrates, and putting his work before his personal commitments. During an emergency FedEx trip, Chuck’s plane goes down in the South Seas. Surviving the crash, Chuck finds himself stranded for four years on a deserted island. We watch as he learns to fend for himself; struggling to find food and water and to maintain his sanity in the face of despair.

Hanks, once again, delivers a compelling performance. We feel his pain and share in his triumphs. We laugh at his quirkiness, and cry through his misery. Through his facial expressions, body language, and interactions with Wilson, Chuck’s volleyball companion, Hanks effectively draws the viewer into this movie, allowing us to believe that it is all true, and to buy the premise of the movie lock, stock and barrel.

What this film does right:

This movie plays on our emotions, without making us feel that our emotions have been played with. Without using a lot of special effects, Zemeckis lets the viewer feel the terror of being stranded at sea. We sense the vastness of the ocean, feel the fury of the storm, and understand Chuck’s desperation. We sigh with relief when Chuck washes up on his island, and then share his whirlwind of emotions as he learns to fend for himself. The movie shows the strength of the human spirit, and the frailty of man. It reminds us of all that we are capable, as well as all that we take for granted. It speaks of the power of hope and of love and explores the depths of despair.

What this film could have done better:

The movie slows down a bit once Chuck is rescued from the island. While I think that the story line itself is believable, I would have liked to share more in the emotions of everyone involved in Chuck’s homecoming.

After four years alone on an island, I would imagine Chuck’s return to Memphis to be somewhat difficult and disconcerting. It seemed that he showered, shaved, dressed, and tried to jump back into his old life. While the movie hinted at his feelings, it did not explore them in the same depth as it did while on the island. I would have liked to feel that that my emotional connection with Chuck had survived the journey home.

I also would have liked to explore the emotions of Chuck’s friends and family in greater detail, especially those of Kelly. Kelly was Chuck’s live-in girlfriend before the accident. Her story of loss, mourning, and then rediscovery of a loved one is an emotional journey that is just as interesting as Chuck’s, yet we do not get to share that journey and explore those emotions.

Despite this short wish list, I highly recommend this film. Hanks’ performance is riveting, and the movie experience promises to be a memorable one. Viewers will line up at box office windows, and then, in a few months run to video stores for a chance to relive this story of survival. This is one film that certainly won’t be cast away.