Cast Away

Rating: 9/10 (25 April 2002)

Tom Hanks has yet again starred in one of the year's best films. After a little film about the AIDS virus called "Philadelphia", Mr. Hanks has been on a terrific film streak. Well his new film, Cast Away is another terrific eye-opener, about a FedEX troubleshooter (Hanks) who gets stranded on an island for four years after his plane crashed into the middle of the South Pacific. Chuck's last words to his fiancÃ©e, Kelly were "I'll be right back". A perfect touch to the film, that tells you of things to come. Chuck now must survive on his own both physically and emotionally without human contact and everyday devices that we all take for granted. The first hour or so after the crash has pretty much no dialogue, until Noland finds a package wash ashore. The package contains a Wilson volleyball. Well after Chuck cuts his hand; in pain he picks up the ball and throws it. It turns out, the blood stain on the ball shaped into a perfect face. Alot has been said about how stupid and unrealistic that a man would actually talk with a volleyball with a face on it for four years. Well I'll tell you something; picture yourself on a deserted island. Got it? Now here's the catch... YOU'RE ALL ALONE! You got absolutely no contact with anybody, and all you got is a volleyball with a face on it. I don't know about you but I'd go insane without anybody or anything to talk with. Wilson was symbolic to the other part of himself. He needed to talk to somebody (or for that matter, something) about the things he's learned in life, ideas, feelings, fears, jokes, stories, and memories. It's normal human behavior. We need some sort of a social life! It's impossible not to express your feelings with something, so he vented with Wilson. Let's also remember that he had a relationship with Wilson for four years! That is a very long time. The Wilson idea is very realistic and a perfect touch to the film.
Well after four years on the island, Chuck goes through many changes: his appearance and more importantly he has become much wiser. Chuck also managed to completely conquer the four of the basic human needs: food, shelter, water, and clothing. The film is about the human spirit and how strong it can become in difficult situations.
Cast Away is probably one of Robert Zemeckis' (Forrest Gump, What Lies Beneath, Back to the Future trilogy) greatest achievements since "Who Framed Roger Rabbit". Robert Zemeckis is one of the most innovative and outstanding young directors and is definitely the future for directors and everyone should keep their eye on him... along with M. Night Shyamalan and David Fincher.
This is definitely one of the best films of the year and will leave you breathless. For those who thought Gladiator was the best film of the year (this means you the Academy), what I ask is, why? Sure Gladiator was a great film, and I liked it alot, but Cast Away has a moral (as did Requiem for a Dream which I personally thought was the best film of the year) and will teach you to respect the things we take for granted like fire, clothing, a place to live, etc... So I believe that the Academy only gives the picture that was most popular the Oscar, and that is quite sad.
Go see the film and learn to respect the things we take for granted.
****1/2 out of ***** 9/10