Cast Away : Movie Review


Castaway reminds me in a sense of the Three Stooges in that you either love it or hate it. Those in the first group appreciate the drama, the strength of the main character, excellent acting, impressive photography, well-done special effects, and some interesting subplots. Those who hate it cite the near lack of dialogue, a simple and predicatable main plot, and the peculiar habit of talking to a volleyball which constitutes most of what we see onscreen. I like the movie but understand the rationale of those that don't.

Here's the story. Chuck Noland is a Fed Ex manager coming home from an overseas assigment when his plane crashes over the Pacific. The crash scene was very well done, with the viewpoint coming only from within the plane, adding to the realism. Chuck is the only survivor and he is lucky enough to get washed ashore a small uninhabited island. He learns how to build a fire, fish, cut down trees, build a shelter, and catch rainwater for drinking. Chuck's "evolution" from businessman to aboriginal hunter was a fascinating aspect that made the movie work.

One of the items in the FedEx plane that washed ashore was a Wilson volleyball, that Chuck fashioned into a fanciful head. Early offhanded remarks to "Wilson" increased and changed into full blown conversations with Chuck imagining Wilson's responses as if they were real. Partly this showed Chuck's survival instinct and also gave the viewers a chance to hear his thoughts. These conversations with a volleyball provide fodder for those who don't like the movie as well as an endearing twist to those who do.

We all know Chuck makes it back to civilization after four years from the movie trailers shown on TV. This is where Director robert zemeckis could have emphasized Chuck's squeamish return to abundance. Instead he focused on Chuck's girlfriend portrayed by Helen Hunt and her subsequent marriage to someone else. I don't think the love angle added anything to the story. Sorry Bob, your closing scene was weak.

Compared to your typical disaster movie, Castaway seems to be in a class of its own which is not for everybody. However Hanks' strong acting carries the movie and, in this reviewer's opinion, should have earned him the Academy Award last March.

Author : Rich Blumenthal