Brilliant Tom Hanks performance, coupled with daring direction

Rating: 9/10 (8 November 2008)

I thought this movie was good the first time I saw it. But I have probably seen it another 8 times since then and it never fails to keep my attention. Here's why:

Hanks delivers an amazing performance. Not only does he undergo drastic physical changes throughout the movie that renders his character's plight so convincingly. But the fact that the majority of the picture is JUST him, on an island, with very little dialogue, no background music, etc. What a huge risk to have to carry a movie by yourself, but boy does he deliver.

The cinematography and location shooting is amazing. NO fake process shots, it's all the real deal.

I thought the airplane crash special effects were amazing. I was scared out of my mind, it was so believable.

I think the director was daring to have so much silence and no background music the majority of his time on the island. I'm not sure many would have attempted this. But I think it is one of things that makes this picture unique and memorable.

The ending is quite poignant. I don't often cry during movies, but the scene with Hanks and Hunt in the street in the rain had me balling my eyes out.

One of the closing lines has always stuck with me: "And I know what I have to do now. I gotta keep breathing. Because tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?"
Great stuff!