A Superlative Performance

Rating: 8/10 (28 March 2001)

After seeing Cast Away, you realize just why Tom Hanks is our generation's finest actor! To be able to carry off a movie on his own with liitle or no dialogue for major sections of the movie is quite the achievement, not to mention the difficult conditions that the movie was shot under and the physical demands of the role as well. Although, there are parts of the movie that feel rather stunted, it is a movie about a man stranded on an island and trying to cope with loneliness and survival on his own. What I loved was the middle part, when he's on his own, but there is no music, no drama, just Tom Hanks, and the sights and sounds of the island around him..Ahhh..I lust after that tranquility..don't get me wrong!! I don't ever wanna be stranded..I think I'd die within days:-)) The Academy chose Russell Crowe instead for Best Actor. Now, I am an Aussie myself(well, Indian born, but true blue at heart) and I was glad for Russell, he's a gem of an actor, but it truly did belong to one guy who wasn't even nominated!!! Michael Douglas for Wonder Boys was my clear choice for Best Actor. But after his non-nomination, I was firmly behind Tom Hanks making it three in a row. Do not watch this movie on a Saturday night with friends!! Watch it all alone and rejoice in the fact that we have an actor of Tom's calibre for our entertainment:-))
Cheers Rahul Prasad