Cast Away

A FedEx executive must transform himself physically and emotionally to survive a crash landing on a deserted island.

I was actually put in mind to watch this again by the disappointment of Life of Pi. Much of Ang Lee's effort seemed like a lighter version of Cast Away and didn't carry close to as much weight as the Robert Zemeckis film.

There aren't a great many negatives to discuss, but I do want to get one out of the way early on. This movie has the most product placement I think I've ever seen in the medium. From the firm for which Hanks's Chuck works to the company he keeps on the island, it sometimes comes across as though certain scenes have been engineered to maximise brand exposure. Fortunately, the impact this has on the integrity of the film is minimal. 

Key to the success of the picture is its star. Tom Hanks has gradually drifted away from the comedy roles that launched his career, and by the time this film was released in 2000, he had already established himself as an accomplished dramatic actor. His strength here is to be able to prevent the film slipping into a mire of doom and gloom that would have made for a very different feature. Though the battle to survive is a difficult one, the material allows for him to lift the mood as required, and he does so ably.

There is much made in the first twenty minutes of Chuck's relationship with Helen Hunt's Kelly. They share a woolly taste for dreadful jumpers and the setup is absolutely necessary considering how the plot moves forward. Having said that, it's definitely the weakest section of the film and things don't really get going until we board the plane that will ultimately carry us to the island. 

Maybe it's just me, but I find any and all air crash sequences terrifying when they're done well and this most definitely is. The aftermath of the crash also makes brilliant use of light and darkness in rattling the senses and accentuates the peril being faced on the open ocean. This is complemented throughout the film by the juxtaposition of raucous storms with tranquil images and birdsong, which is also very effective.

The score is conspicuous by its absence in all but the most emotional of scenes, emphasising the loneliness and desolation of what is essentially a paradise prison. Supporting this is the wise creative choice of never leaving Chuck's side, joining in all his hardships, small victories and heartache. Never do we see the ongoing search for him, nor the affect his disappearance has on those closest to him. Further to this, I'm also a big fan of the character dynamics in play towards the end of the movie. It's atypical, but not so much that it endangers its appeal to a wider audience.

The Verdict:

7.5/10
A well-crafted film that makes it impossible not to identify with the fight for survival. Characterised by inventive plot devices and smart writing, it's a film that lingers long after viewing.