Once again Hanks demonstrates his dynamic range.

Rating: 7/10 (22 December 2000)

Cast Away - Life inexorably flows by: whether it's slowing down while we're at work, or speeding up when we're at play, days blend into weeks and into years. Not surprisingly, few people - especially those who would benefit from it most - ever take the time to engage in serious introspection. If, however, the opportunity did present itself, what do you think you might learn? Or would you even dare to try?
Chuck Noland is obsessed by time: it's his job is to ensure that those packages that "absolutely positively have to get there overnight" do, and he's willing to do what is necessary to get it done, even "borrowing" a child's bike if necessary. He loves his girlfriend, but their relationship is subject to the whims of his daytimer. Ripped away from yet another Christmas dinner for a quick job he gives his girlfriend a hurried kiss, tells her that he has something important to discuss with her and promises her he'll be right back. Of course, time is relative.
By now, everyone probably knows that this film is "different" in several ways. First, the concept and movie came before the witless "Survivor" phenom, and many people were concerned that the show might taint the movie. Second, many people were hoping for a repeat after Zemeckis and Hanks struck box office gold with "Forrest Gump". Third, after filming the beginning of the movie, the production went on hiatus for a year while Tom Hanks shed almost fifty pounds going from portly to waif (Zemeckis filled his time by filming "What Lies Beneath"). Fourth, although there are peripheral characters, the bulk of the film focuses on Chuck's time alone on the island and consequently, dialogue is sparse. There is also an absence of special effects (with the notable of exception of the superbly staged plane crash), and the soundtrack stops soon after Chuck crawls ashore. Finally, the initial ending was scrapped after it garnered lukewarm responses from test audiences.
I never dreamed that the cross dressing star of a cheesy sitcom would one day be one of Hollywood's biggest draws. I'm sure he didn't either. It is difficult for an actor to give a good performance at the best of times, but when you are playing off a volleyball, water and occasionally adverse weather conditions, the situation is far more challenging. Hanks proves that he is up to the task.
Even starker than Hank's amazing physical metamorphosis, is his spiritual and mental transformation. As his carefully ordered life disintegrates (whose wouldn't after being jetwrecked?) Chuck begins to understand that what is truly important in life, water, food and shelter not withstanding, is living, not just surviving. As he struggles with desperation, triumph, and insanity, he accepts that he cannot dictate what happens, only his response. Could this have been the subtle reason for titling the film "Cast Away" (vb.- to dispose of something) rather than "Castaway" (adj.- a shipwrecked individual)? As I don't think I will be talking with speak with Mr. Zemeckis in the near future, it will remain unanswered.
The location shots are both beautiful and treacherous - paradise with a hitch - and reminded me of some of the islands I visited while in Fiji (thankfully they had places to stay and food I didn't have to hunt down). The cinematography is tight, and Zemeckis deserves congratulations for his simple, understated, yet simultaneously daring direction (if only he'd shown such restraint in "What Lies Beneath"). My only complaints would have to be that the beginning and ending feel too artificial when viewed in the context of the rest of the film, but not overwhelmingly so.
One of the most powerful films of the holiday season.