A film review by Mark O'Hara Copyright © 2000 Mark O'Hara

Robert Zemeckis’ CAST AWAY is a strong example of what can be done with a veteran actor and a pretty solid script.

Tom Hanks as Chuck Noland, an executive for FedEx who is stranded on a remote island in the Pacific, is in top form, and the writing by William Broyles, Jr. tells the story without straining itself with worry over the premise.

Hanks is remarkable here. Of course the story that will get the most attention is how he and his friend Bob Zemeckis suspended production halfway through the film, so that Hanks could shed 50 or so pounds and let his hair grow. Sure enough, Chuck Noland reappears looking like John the Baptist, spearing fish expertly, even crouching like a native would – the survivor in the wild. In every scene it seems like Hanks is not surrounded by a large crew; he simply acts naturally, holding his expressive mouth and casting his expressive eyes in ways that engage us and always carry the plot further. Perhaps he has not chosen widely different roles in his career, but Tom Hanks certainly assumes authority up there on the screen, and he just gets more watchable with the years.

The story is also one of the stars. No, it will not interest viewers who demand intense action or explosions, though the plane crash sequence is very well executed and memorable. I like that the script does not have Chuck Noland talking to himself unnecessarily. When he talks or screams aloud, it is warranted; when Noland needs to preserve his sanity, he creates a companion: a package from the plane cargo, a volleyball he dubs “Wilson,” painting in a face with his own blood. It’s remarkable indeed that we actually begin to empathize with this volleyball, or at least with the traits with which Noland has personified it. From the tragic opera of his marooning, Hanks is able to cause his character to sift comic moments – a nice touch and an optimistic stance from which to view the world. Many stars attract an audience merely by attaching their names to a project; Hanks is the surest bet in modern Hollywood to deliver the goods. Broyles’ script, along with Zemeckis’ subtle direction, gives this masterful actor the tools he needs.

Helen Hunt is, unfortunately, underused. We saw her in the current Mel Gibson vehicle WHAT WOMEN WANT, and I remarked on the smallness of her part. The script of CAST AWAY features Hunt even less. What this fine actress needs is a narrative that will truly center on her, and not on the older men with whom she occupies a screen. As Kelly Frears, Noland’s love interest before his being lost, Hunt does her usual believable and efficient job, though we do not see much development of her character.

I wonder about viewers’ reactions to the ending. It struck me as not particularly satisfying, but I cannot say much about it without offering spoilers. It reminds me of the endings of so many over-workshopped short stories that came out of college writing programmed students in the 1980’s. The more I ponder the ending, however, the more I appreciate the importance of its metaphor. Indeed, Zemeckis is unafraid of using metaphorical twists throughout the film, a decision that will alienate a good deal of viewers (who may not even be aware of the reason they are disgruntled!).

My judgment is that yes, films of high quality are scarce this season, if not this past year (2000). My experience watching CAST AWAY (even the title smacks of metaphor, no?) provided me with an enjoyable mixture of entertainment and instruction, and are these two qualities not the ones that supposedly make good literature?

The film lasts 143 minutes, and is rated PG-13. It has very few questionable uses of language, but a couple of intense sequences involving the plane crashing, and Noland finding the corpse of a crew member.

	Running Time: 143 Min | Rated: PG-13 | US Release: Dec 22nd | More >>

Related Links:

• Official Site
• Mr. Showbiz Interview: Tom Hanks
• DreamWorks SKG Fansite - Cast Away

At the edge of the world, his journey begins.