Cast Away

2000

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Composer: Alan Silvestri

Distributor: Fox Movies / Dreamworks

KeyElements: Concept – Visuals - Music

My Review:

I heard Hanks say in an interview that the concept driving this movie was to give a realistic portrayal of being “shipwrecked.” We have plenty of romanticize tales of such things happening – Robinson Crusoe, Swiss Family Robinson, Gilligan’s Island. But the truth is that it would be a horrible experience. He lets us get a glimpse of that experience here.

While the driving concept is interesting enough, the message that comes across is what I really love about the movie. We see a man, stripped of everything for years, reintroduced to modern society. The things he missed most were basic necessities and people. He loves that he now has ice in his glass and bottled water at his disposal. And he loves that he gets to see Kelly again, even though he can’t have her.

We are surrounded by blessings and by beautiful people. I wonder how often we take that for granted. This movie made me consider just how good I really have it.

My favorite part of the movie comes, however at the end. We find Chuck at a crossroads in the middle of open country. He has nothing with him but what he needs, and no plans except to see what life brings him next. I found myself envying his freedom.

A couple last notes: The music by Alan Silvestri was beautiful. And the plane crash scene was intense. Excellently done.


Trailer:



Quotes:

• The most beautiful thing in the world is, of course, the world itself.
• I'll be right back.
• Hello! Anybody?
• If I'm here New Years Eve, then I'm here. If I'm not, I'm not.
• I added it up, and knew that I had... lost her. Because I was never going to get off that island. I was going to die there, totally alone. I was going to get sick, or get injured or something. The only choice I had, the only thing I could control was when, and how, and where it was going to happen. So... I made a rope and I went up to the summit, to hang myself. I had to test it, you know? Of course. You know me. And the weight of the log, snapped the limb of the tree, so I-I - , I couldn't even kill myself the way I wanted to. I had power over nothing. And that's when this feeling came over me like a warm blanket. I knew, somehow, that I had to stay alive. Somehow. I had to keep breathing. Even though there was no reason to hope. And all my logic said that I would never see this place again. So that's what I did. I stayed alive. I kept breathing. And one day my logic was proven all wrong because the tide came in, and gave me a sail. And now, here I am. I'm back. In Memphis, talking to you. I have ice in my glass... And I've lost her all over again. I'm so sad that I don't have Kelly. But I'm so grateful that she was with me on that island. And I know what I have to do now. I got to keep breathing. Because tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?
• You look lost.
  - I do?
  Where're you headed?
  - Well, I was just about to figure that out.

Stills: