Flashes of brilliance are held back by a slow opening and a thematic shift in the third act.

Rating: 7/10 (26 April 2018)

There are flashes of brilliance throughout 'Cast Away (2000)', mostly during the daringly dialogue-free mid-portion when Hanks is stranded on the island. It's when the story is told visually that it's at its most compelling, with the central performance remaining captivating throughout and the sense of isolation feeling palpable. It does have some pacing issues, though, including a slow opening that struggles to make you care about the character and an off-pace third act that takes the focus away from survival - placing it on living instead, which works thematically but does seem a little dull compared to what came before it. A film that can create a compelling relationship between a man and a volleyball has to be admired, though. 7/10