 |
| Lionsgate Entertainment Director: J.C. Chandor Runtime: 1 hour, 46 minutes Rated: PG-13 (for brief language) Writers: J.C. Chandor Starring: Robert Redford Action | Adventure | Drama |
After a collision with a cargo container at sea, our man finds himself staring mortality in the face. And not even knowing his name, the bigger questions that go unanswered only make us wonder all the more what preceded the movie’s events…
“13th of July, 4:50 pm. I’m sorry...I know that means little at this point, but I am. I tried, I think you would all agree that I tried. To be true, to be strong, to be kind, to love, to be right. But I wasn’t. And I know you knew this. In each of your ways. And I am sorry. All is lost here...except for soul and body...that is, what’s left of them...and a half-day’s ration. It’s inexcusable really, I know that now. How it could have taken this long to admit that I’m not sure...but it did. I fought ‘til the end, I’m not sure what this is worth, but know that I did. I have always hoped for more for you all...I will miss you. I’m sorry.”
But those questions we never get an answer to. Instead, we get: “This is the Virginia Jean with an SOS call. Over,” with the steady crash of waves and the movement of the tides out on a lonely, open sea.
Will the modern equivalent of silent films come back into grove? All is Lost is a good indicator that such a thing could just about happen. It may not have obtained the level of suspense it wanted to, but a daringness to not follow the beaten path of familiar films it has in spades, not to mention a respect for plot focus not seen in similar movies of its kind (like 2000's Castaway).
At the halfway marker, we start to lose a bit of patience and don’t sympathize as much with our man’s plight since the film’s artistic display of choice unintentionally detracts somewhat from the film’s goal. Redford may not have given us his full-on best, but what he gives comes close to it.
A few semi-successful misleads and music pieces that don’t always help to access the more tense moments has us wondering why our captain never talks to himself or hollers out in fits of rage, but most of what we are shown was specifically intended not to overplay any one element behind the drama. Director Chandor, still mostly green in big-name film endeavors, logs a tremendous number in All is Lost, an excellent movie by all standards.
Comments
Post a Comment