impressive and touching

Rating: 9/10 (19 April 2006)

I don't feel there is any need to describe this movie too much or to emphasize its meanings, since anybody who has read or seen the story of Robinson Crusoe has a pretty good idea of what this movie is about. I'll just focus on the differences here and on some things that I found charming and some not so charming:
1. I don't know if it was done intentionally, but Hanks' character is a typical workaholic of our day and age, a yuppie and someone totally dependent on consumerism. So I found myself feeling a slight satisfaction when he was cast away. I was kinda going: "Let's see what you do now, Mr. Career-Driven Corporate Employee CEO of Fedex Wannabe". I am sure the makers of this movie had no intention of creating such a blunt statement to the extent I am suggesting, but I felt it that way.The question here is: What do you do if you have nothing except yourself? When you're not Mr.X, with a social status and every bit of your outer world disappears and you are left with nothing but yourself? Now the "solution" of our hero, going through pain, anguish and suicidal thoughts is to hold on to his past. Here is the major difference to Robinson Crusoe. Robinson finally adapts. Our hero never really does, even though he does manage to create some kind of inner balance not without the help of one of the most beautiful characters in movie history: the volleyball Wilson. Their relationship is extremely touching.
2. The emotions of the character are strong and presented eloquently and in an elegant manner to the viewer. You really feel with the character. The only flaw of the movie, in my opinion, is that it's just a bit too picturesque. Sure, some gritty realism - like the pulling the tooth out scene,but sometimes too picturesque. Fortunately the incredible versatility and excellent casting of Tom Hanks covers most of that and really touches you.
3. As for the coming back sequence and the ending...very very nice. Lots of great acting and storytelling here and the conclusion is definitely appropriate and consistent with the character development. Great final frame with the crossroads. Only one observation (in the sense of "What would I do in the same situation?"): I would have definitely have opened up the package and adapt like Robinson C. (at least I feel so). The fact that our hero never manages to really adapt is a statement of our fragility as a social animal.The fact that he needed that unopened package to be finally delivered as a way to keep his sanity all those secluded years is a sad reminder that it is extremely hard to be really free from your outer world. Robinson Crusoe was written centuries ago, in the classical/pre-romantic period of literature, in a time when, it seems, there was a lot more confidence in the ability of man to live at peace with himself. I am not sure whether I am more like this Fedex guy or Robinson, but I would definitely prefer Robinson.
Anyway, Bravo! Tom Hanks and let's hope Zemeckis will make THIS kind of movies as opposed to his usual obnoxious content-free block-busters.