Touching island survival tale with a disappointing ending

Rating: 8/10 (25 March 2006)

This is a rather unusual take on the Robinson Crusoe deserted island survival tale. I agree with another reviewer who noted that it's the only movie where you get all emotionally attached to a volleyball. In fact, I was so attached that I cried over that foolish volleyball. Yes, I cried. For me, this film is all about Wilson!
The movie chronicles the survival tale of a workaholic Fedex systems engineer, Chuck Noland, whose plane to Malaysia crashes during a storm, stranding him alone on a tropical island with little prospect of rescue. He stays alive for four years by catching fish, copes with dental problems in a primitive manner, and keeps his spirits up by looking at a picture of his fiancé, Kelly, who's back home with no news of him. Finally, he builds a raft and sails off, hoping for a return to civilization.
During his isolation on the island, the loneliness of having no human contact forces him to come up with some sort of companion he can communicate with. This turns out to be a Wilson brand volleyball that he names...yes, Wilson. Wilson is really the co star of the movie and the recipient of Chuck's conversation. This dramatically illustrates one of the movie's main themes...just how unconsciously dependent we all are on companionship, even those of us who are not particularly outgoing. None of us realizes the devastating psychological effects of extended and complete isolation.
The film shows Chuck's various struggles on the island for food, water, and shelter. In fact, the island segment is the most interesting part, as far as I'm concerned, the earlier portion showing his relationship with Kelly (Helen Hunt) not particularly gripping. The earlier scenes serve mainly to outline his workaholic lifestyle, ever dependent on the clock.
I didn't object to the jump from his ship rescue to four weeks later, when he's reintegrated into society. However, I was disappointed with the movie's ending. I didn't mind that his fiancé, Kelly, has moved on with her life, married, and has a child (all as you might predict, given the circumstances of his presumed death). However, I found the whole crossroads scene at the conclusion ambiguous and unsatisfying, and felt I wanted a bit more information as to Chuck's fate, even if it didn't involve a love interest.
Other than that, a gripping survival story and touching tale. But I'll warn you, if you get too attached to Wilson, you'd better have your Kleenex ready...