Jon Monsarrat review: Fascinating & accessible drama; not too arty

Rating: 9/10 (8 May 2002)

I came into "Cast Away" with a couple of strikes against me. Although I have a lot of respect for Tom Hanks, I hated the melodrama and sappiness in "Forrest Gump". And I'm not usually into dramas, because they're too deep for me. But since I'm an action movie guy, I figured there would be some action in the film.
There sort-of is. But the film is primarily a drama / thriller, with plenty of suspense about our hero's survival chances. Tom Hanks makes the movie. I can't say it plainer than that. The acting is so gripping, so compelling -- and keep in mind on a desert island he's mainly playing off inanimate objects -- that even though I'm not an arty type I just had to watch fascinated, similar to how in a good action flick I'm fascinated at how the stunt people put together the stunts.
The only negative comment I might make is that the end of the film was slow-paced and not entirely satisfying to me.
Who should see this film:
-- Everyone, even if you hate dramas
I'll give "Cast Away" a near-miss perfect 9 out of 10.