Castaway merits a closer look...

Rating: 9/10 (25 March 2005)

Like a Shakespearean play, the different layers of the story cannot be taken in from a one-time viewing of Castaway. I was looking for a specific film example of some of the "Hero-Quest" plot points from Joseph Voggler and picked up this movie for a second viewing. I ended up watching it again with my five year-old son. When Wilson floated away, my son began to cry. Then I began to cry! Damn, my kid got it, and I had missed it. My son understood how "real" an imaginary friend is because he was still a child. Hanks has a rebirth on the island and is stripped down to an infantile state. He becomes a child once again. His entire re-evolution is fascinating. I have watched it at least 8 times since and pick up little pieces that I had not caught before. Like a Shakespearean play, there are layers to this one... Just because the film isn't obvious does not make it "slow." It's amazing what we expect from movies. I expect a story! This is a story of becoming a human being and learning to live a genuine life. I love it, and still tear up. Give it a second viewing. Look at the symbolism, gestures, and expressed emotions. Pay attention to the details (like the "birthday card"). Almost a perfect story! Some people simply won't get it. I think even the main character (Nolan at the beginning of the film) would be too "deadened" to understand it... It is only through his "tragedy" that he becomes a true observer of the gift that life is. That might even be one of the layers. Bravo!!!