MOVIE REVIEW - All Is Lost

It isn't often you see a mainstream movie hit the theaters that literally stars one actor. That is the new All Is Lost, the new Robert Redford flick where he stars in a tale of sheer human survival.

Seems every year we get a "concept piece" that is so different, it cuts through the noise of all the average or formula stuff and resonates with audiences deeply.   A couple of years ago it was the silent film, The Artist, that went on and won the Oscar for best picture.   And this is this years entry.   And this is very, very good.

This one hour and forty minute movie has one person on screen, Redford.  And he utters about 3 sentences. There is almost no music in this movie either.  So what is in this movie?  Well, a compelling story, superb acting, and a wonderfully edited flick, that is certainly catering to an older patron, but they will go, and they will like this.

It's the story of a seemingly rich, successful man, who owns this incredible sailboat.  He is sailing solo in the Indian Ocean about 1,700 miles off shore.  His boat is truck by huge piece of cargo that fell off a merchant ship, causing huge damage to it.  Because we learn he is a terrific sailor, he somehow keeps his sailboat afloat, and tries to make some kind of determination on where he is, as his navigation equipment has been ruined.  After he patches the big hole in the hull, he seems to think he was weathered the storm.  But his adventure is just beginning.

The goes through a huge actual storm and the boat sustains even more damage, to the point where he has to abandon the ship and spend his days in an inflatable life raft.  He is trying to survive.  But will he survive his 8 days at sea shipwrecked?  That is our movie.  Make no mistake.  This is not an uplifting story, as this is a man hanging on for dear life by the skin of his teeth.  This is compelling, but not light movie viewing.

This is first class movie making all the way.  The director puts you right in the belly of that boat, or on its deck, and makes you feel exactly what our hero is feeling. This is wonderfully filmed and incredibly edited to give you a sense of being there. Redford creates a character that you really get to know, without even knowing his name, nationality, or virtually anything.  You don't even really know why he is there in the middle of the ocean.   He is terrific in this enigmatic role, and because of his skill, performance, his entire career, and where he is in his life, he may be the odds-on favorite to win best actor at first glance.

Keeping in mind Redford is 70 ish, this role was an immense physical challenge, and  he pulled it off well. Whether he is or not, he makes you believe he is a seasoned sailor, but he is also fallible, and makes many mistakes along the way that help lead him to his plight.  This is well written, acted and is just a fine piece of cinema.  This is emotive, caring and expertly crafted and way above the fray.  It is also believable, and is careful not to over the top. 

All Is Lost.   This will have very limited appeal with any kind of mainstream movie going public, but Redford fans will go, and they will love this. There is a lot to love.  Darn good movie.