A metaphor for Life!

Rating: Null/10 (21 February 2001)

Not being a fan of either Tom Hanks, Robert Zemekis or American movies in general, I wasn't expecting much from `Cast Away'. It was an extremely hot day in Adelaide that day, and the closest movie theatre seemed to be the best escape from the heat. I walked out of this film feeling fully entertained, plus taking with me much food for thought.
None of the performances moved me terribly, but I found the screenplay most interesting. It was obvious to me that the story itself was a metaphor for life, and within this was a strong message to us all. Whatever message you take away will depend on your basic values.
The story covered the 3 stages of life - - I know everything, and I can do what I like - Good grief, I don't know everything, and now I have to learn about life from the ground up - I can rejoin the human race, but I'm changed beyond recognition. The catalyst to Stage 2 in the film was the plane crash, and Tom Hanks' character being stranded on a remote and uninhabited island. For the rest of the human race, this catalyst is generally far more subtle, but it inevitably leaves us feeling that our lives are out of our control. Feeling out of control is generally a neon sign that change is needed.
Whether the screenwriter intended this film to be a metaphor I can't say, but the result is a sharply and succinctly edited piece, which is so unlike other `big' American movies. I welcomed the change - it was like a breath of fresh Pacific Island air!