Cast Away

Cast Away stars Tom Hanks as a modern-day Robinson Crusoe. After the plane in which he is travelling crashes into the ocean during a fierce gale (a sequence more heart-racing than anything in last summer's The Perfect Storm), John Nolan is left stranded alone on a small island in the South Pacific.

As an employee with Federal Express (who takes his job way too seriously), Hanks delivers a moving and Oscar-worthy performance in a fascinating study of how a workaholic copes with his loss of identity. Further, his physical transformation from a rather flabby yuppie to a 'caveman' is shocking. Hanks actually took a year off during filming to accomplish this, a stunt the studio felt was risky.

Robert Zemeckis, who previously directed Hanks to box-office gold in Forrest Gump, explores the classic theme of Man against Nature. Using the tropical scenery to its full advantage, Zemeckis allows us to share in the fear and isolation experienced by the title character.

A compelling story that never fails to entertain, the vignettes depicting Nolan's struggle are both poignant and humorous. With little or no dialogue for the bulk of the film, it is reminiscent of The Black Stallion. And one word of caution for the faint of heart: Nolan bleeds profusely after injuring himself several times, and at one point a rotted corpse washes up on the beach.

Sadly, promotions for the film confirm that Nolan escapes from his island prison after four long years. Hollywood moguls clearly underestimate the intelligence of contemporary audiences, insisting that we need to know exactly what we are paying for. Thus, it is not giving away anything by pointing out that the film delves into how Nolan's ordeal affects his relationship with his girlfriend, played by the always glowing Helen Hunt in the film's bookend scenes.

The film also suffers because it comes off as a lavish advertisement for FedEx; indeed, the producers should have cast away credibility in favour of a fictitious courier company.

While being marooned on a desert isle is a fantasy for many in today's hectic world, Cast Away clearly shows the mental strain one can suffer. Unfortunately, we learn little about how this changes Nolan's perspective. One message, however, is clear: fate controls our destiny. Rating: 7 out of 10.