Less action than expected, but a great story...

Rating: 7/10 (30 December 2000)

Cast Away is an interesting story that forces us to think. There are many great shots and nicely crafted scenes in Cast Away, but what I think distinguishes it from most movies today is its willingness to show us a story rather than tell us what we should think and feel. Although I would have liked to hear more of Hanks' own thought process, we're forced to look inward and see how Hanks' character parallels our life. Following the movie we are forced to reflect how we would act if we were on the Island, what we would do if our only true love was lost for years only to reappear, and how relationships lived inside our heads are often perfect but rarely play out in reality. These all happen here and Zemekis wisely enough doesn't show us how they should be resolved, but simply what happens to Hanks' character and how an everyday man copes with extraordinary circumstances both on and off a deserted island.