Long; excellent

Rating: 10/10 (11 December 2005)

I have never met anyone who enjoyed Cast Away as much as me. I think it is a masterpiece, one of the best films of the past decade, but I admit you'd be hard pressed to find many people (especially among those who know much more about film than myself) who agree.
The first time I saw it, I thought it was enjoyable, but rather long. I saw it again years later, and I found the movie truly powerful. His transformation and perseverance, Wilson, everything that happens on the island is believable and well paced. More importantly, the images when he comes back to Memphis- bottled water, the lighter- I know Zemeckis kind of hits you over the head with it, but for me it worked.
I think Tom Hanks is a truly remarkable actor- for all the crappy, "You've Got Mail" movies he's made, when I watch Cast Away or Forest Gump I have difficulty imagining him as anyone else. His performance is great. This movie is great. For me, like most great movies, it was even better the second time. If you have seen it once, I wholeheartedly suggest a second viewing.