Random comments on random films

Castaway

Sure Tom Hanks' weight gain and weight loss was impressive. Sure he did a phenomenal acting job, carrying the dialogue, character, action and plot pretty much on his shoulders (and his alone) for an hour or so. But not just the acting, but the directing, script, soundtrack, and everything else works well. It is an all-round effective movie (as one friend put it: "if you think you'll never choke back tears at the sight of a volleyball adrift on the ocean, go watch this film").

But for me, the most poignant moment of the film is that look back that he gives the island as he finally rows away beyond the breakers and to freedom. Anyone held in the confines of a prison for many years, cursing and yelling and swearing to get away, will find that exact sort of nostalgia and dependence almost pulling him back the moment he breaks free and finds himself adrift in a boundless ocean.

posted by Marco @ 3:25 AM