-- Well, just popped in for a coffee and hey guess what - I wrote a review! Its been a while, but I...
-- Well, just popped in for a coffee and hey guess what - I wrote a review! Its been a while, but I think I've still got the hang of it....
Member since:06.07.2000
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One of the most hyped films in recent weeks has been Tom Hanks' latest to-be-Oscar-nominated 'CAST AWAY'.
I had looked forward to seeing this film since I first heard about it over a month ago and was definately NOT disappointed!
Tom Hanks had purposely put on weight(for the first part of the film) and grew a real 'Grizly Adams' style beard - for the second half just for the film. I have always liked anything related to the ocean (apart from Perfect Storm !) and Hanks is hard to beat so..... these things all added to the anxiously awaiting Castaway's release.
The movie was directed by Robert Zemeckis who last directed Hanks in 'Forrest Gump', of course and the actor also not only produced the film, but also had the idea for it in the first place.
Anyway, onto the action. 'Cast Away' has Hanks as Chuck Nolan, a FedEx Engineer. He is very time orientated, takes his job very seriously and goes about it very much in ordered, almost military fashion. His fiance Kelly (played by Helen Hunt) has a very patient relationship with Chuck. He does not seem to be in any hurry to seriously consider marriage, though they love each other very much.
They are enjoying a Christmas Eve meal with family when he is suddenly called away on business. They exchange Christmas presents -Kelly gives Chuck a locket/watch with a picture of her in it. The watch because he is so time oriented and because it's his favorite photo of her. As he walks away, he says to her "I'll be right back".
Then on the plane -one minute Chuck is in the bathroom of the airplane washing and looking in the mirror - Next second, one of the crew throws him a life raft! The plane is going down fast right over the South Pacific, due to a violent storm. The plane crashes - the special effects are amazing! You will swear this is really happening.
Chuck then drifts over to a nearby island. He thus begins the physical and emotional struggle to simply stay alive. He must find ways to eat - tend to his injuries and keep sane. But Chuch has an amazing will to live.
Some of the FedEx boxes that were in the plane wash ashore and he opens these and makes use of some of the contents. He uses video tape as make-shift rope. He uses ice skate blades for a mirror and for a knife - and so on. Chuck opens one package that contains a volleyball, so he paints a face on it and names it Wilson. He talks to it as if it is a real person - it's almost his 'Man Friday', but it keeps him sane.
One thing that keeps him going is the locket/watch that Kelly gave him. He keeps it near him and dreams of her. He attempts to leave the island many times with no success. After four years of surviving, Chuck once again attempts to build a raft and go back to civilization. He miraculously makes it this time and watches as the island slips out of sight.
There are parts of this film that will make you laugh and a few that will definitely make you cry. Other parts will make you marvel at the ways God can supply you with your needs. This is a great film about a man that thinks he has his life totally under control - then whoosh...suddenly thrown into a terrifying and incomprehensible situation that he must face.
Although the idea of someone being stranded one an island and struggling with survival is not a new one for a movie, this is still a very fine film. Tom Hanks does a great job as usual and it looks like another Oscar nomination on the cards for him once more. Go see it.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 1945 - Drama - Director: David Lean - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard, Stanley Holloway, Joyce Carey, Cyril Raymond
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Production Year: 1999 - Drama - Director: Dick Maas - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: William Hurt, Jennifer Tilly, Denis Leary, Michael Chiklis, Francesca Brown
Keith, what a surprise! It's great to know you're on here! Actually, I don't make any money off the site, I just donate it to the charity cancer fund that Ciao has set up. Glad to see you found me. I'm really enjoying Ciao and have been busy 'helping' make lots of changes on Ciao by pestering the heck out of the staff! TEE HEE (evil cackle). Email me sometime and let me know what you're up to (prelude210@yahoo.com).
broksababe 25.01.2001 21:38
Good opinion, looking forward to seeing it on video now!
Plissken 22.01.2001 22:57
Nice review, but I have to disagree with you on Hanks! This is Tom on autopilot - the camera crew were clearly on location, with Mr. Hanks seemingly putting his performance in from a holograph booth 3000 miles away. Time to branch out, Tom...
Cast Awayreunites star Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis in their first collaboration ... more
since the heavy-handed sentimentality ofForrest Gump. Thankfully, this time their film's life-affirming message is delivered with more subtlety, attributable bot...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Discover the unforgettable journey of hope, courage and survival.Tom Hanks as Chuck ... more
Noland, a FedEx systems engineer whose ruled-by-the-clock existence abruptly ends when a harrowing plane crash leaves him isolated on a remote island. As Chuck struggle...
Cast Awayreunites star Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis in their first collaboration ... more
since the heavy-handed sentimentality ofForrest Gump. Thankfully, this time their film's life-affirming message is delivered with more subtlety, attributable bot...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 7 to 13 days...
Cast Awayreunites star Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis in their first collaboration ... more
since the heavy-handed sentimentality ofForrest Gump. Thankfully, this time their film's life-affirming message is delivered with more subtlety, attributable bot...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: brilliant acting, great special effects, tonnes of special features, cheap Disadvantages: feels as if special effects are prioty over acting, storyline wasn't as good
![Cast Away [DVD] [2001]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/80615837.jpg "Cast Away [DVD] [2001]")
Jan 12th, 2001
very helpful by (91%):
helpful by (9%):
![Cast Away (2 Disc Set) [DVD] [2001]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78548822.jpg)
