"Cast Away" by Robert Zemeckis: a review

"Cast Away" by Robert Zemeckis is one of the finest American films of the millennium. At first glance, it seems to be updating the story of Robinson Crusoe, but looking deeper, it is mainly a reflection of the consumer society and its pitfalls. Tom Hanks, director of Federal Express, escapes a plane crash and is forced to live on an island for four years before returning to civilization. Wonderful interpretation of Hanks, who alone bears on his shoulders three-quarters of the movie and had to grow more than twenty pounds during the first part of the story. During filming breaks, Zemeckis shot the equally beautiful "Beneath" with Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer. A work not to be missed which explores in depth the human being and returns moments of surprises, too often forgotten.

Chuck Noland never has a minute to relax. Service manager at a large international carrier, he travels the world tirelessly to improve the performance of its business, refine its communication systems, initiate and stimulate teams able to work in a timely increasingly tight. Single point of reference, a haven of rest in this busy life: his wife Kelly, he found only a few hours a month, very little time for holiday dinner but dream to marry... the day when he has time.

During one trip, Chuck is the victim of a crash. His plane sank in the Pacific, causing the crew to the bottom of the ocean. Clinging to a life raft, Chuck adrift overnight before running aground on a desert island. Alone in the world.

Deprived of its traditional landmarks, the castaway must learn in basic emergency actions for survival. Any problem: finding water, food, to burn treated by makeshift means a wound or an abscess. Patient and inventive, Chuck made his benefit of the few items saved from the crash and thus overcomes the physical tests. A small photo of Kelly, it looks in moments of anxiety, helps fight against loneliness and despair, a balloon, on which he draws his blood with a human face, becomes his favorite partner, his companion misfortune.

Four years pass, Chuck gets tough, unpublished reflexes acquires, develops a new approach to the world. Then fate throws on the beach a new relic in which Chuck sees a way out. Trying all for everything, he left his island towards civilization. Nothing will ever be. But he has gained in return the priceless gift: the freedom to choose their destiny.

Tom wanted to tell the story of a man stranded on a desert island and was suddenly deprived of all the amenities and conveniences of modern life. Engineers at the FedEx system, the trade of Chuck Noland is to "connect men to men" around the world and now he finds himself disconnected from everything.

From this point of departure quickly arise other questions: what would happen to Chuck Noland on this island? How can he survive his loneliness? In response, Broyles decided to share one-time experiences of his character. After contacting two experts primitive technology, it 's "failed" voluntarily on an island near the Sea of Cortes and tried to invent ways to survive.

Tom Hanks is the lone character for the majority of the film, during which time he portrays an employee of a well-known package delivery company who survives a plane crash in the Pacific, and washes ashore on a tiny deserted island.

Tom Hanks received an Oscar Nomination for his performance in this film at the 73rd Academy Awards.