Okay, But Nowhere Near The Hype

Rating: 6/10 (26 April 2006)

I remember all the hype this film got prior to its release. Myself, I was disappointed in it but on a second look with lower expectations it was much better. The DVD picture was outstanding: razor sharp and was much more enjoyable to view than at the theater.
I remember a comment or two at church when this film came out, about how it was disappointing that God was never mentioned by Tom Hanks' character in this movie, that anyone in his predicament - stranded on a island for years by himself - would be talking (or even yelling) at God, or praying at one point.
Nonethelesss, Hanks and Hollywood are rarely shown needing or asking help from The Almighty, so they show long scenes of him in his Robinson Crusoe mode, talking to a painted volleyball "friend" instead.
That story, however, of Hanks and his island adventures, is much better than the beginning and endings with Helen Hunt, who almost does the wrong thing but, thankfully, does not. I found that last 20-minute scene uncomfortable but maybe we were supposed to feel that way. I just thought they could have come up with a better conclusion post-rescue.
Anyway, most movies in which Hanks stars pretty good, and this is no exception. It's certainly worth a look on DVD.