A Memphis-based FedEx worker named Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks) finds himself alone and trapped on an unknown island after a traumatic plane crash. Chuck must summon all of his mental and physical strength to remain sane and fight his way back to his family in the United States, with a photograph of his partner, Kelly Hunt (Kelly Frears) keeping his hopes alive. Cast Away is an all-time classic thriller that is widely regarded as one of the best desert island based flicks of all time.

Director: Robert Zemeckis
Writers: William Broyles Jr.
Starring: Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt, Paul Sanchez

Directed by Robert Zemeckis and consequently nominated for two Oscar awards in the Best Actor and Best Sound categories, Cast Away was released to audiences in December of 2000, making the film just over twenty-five years old at the time of writing this review. It’s worth noting that Tom Hanks, who starred as the lead role, has always considered this to be one of his personal favourites that he’s appeared in.

Monuriki, Fiji, was the island in which Cast Away was filmed, having a huge impact of the flick. The island was showcased by the filmmakers well, with its intense isolation making it a perfect setting for a film of this nature. The feel of isolation helped demonstrate to the audience just how alone the main character felt. In my eyes, the island wasn’t just there to serve as a backdrop to Cast Away, but it was also there to serve as its own character within the picture.

Despite Cast Away’s many strengths, one drawback I’d have to flag up would be the over bombardment of FedEx branding that was utilised by the filmmakers throughout the one-hundred and forty-three minute runtime. While the integration of FedEx into the story made sense given the overall premise, the sheer volume of branding felt a little excessive at times, bordering on distracting. As noted by other critics, the flick could have perhaps benefited from adopting a fictional company instead.

In terms of the cast, Tom Hanks adopted the role of Chuck Noland and commanded the majority of screentime, while support, albeit limited, reigned in from Helen Hunt, who starred as Kelly Frears. As previously noted, the filming location that was used could also in some eyes be considered a supporting character, as well as the infamous “Wilson” volleyball, a silent companion that rather bizarrely added some humanity and humour into the movie.

All in all, this twenty-five year classic does have its flaws but at the same time possesses more than enough strengths to warrant a viewing, if it’s not already been seen. Cast Away is a survival-based drama that manages to intrigue the viewer from the first minute, up until the last, injecting a range of emotions throughout.

“Look what I’ve created! I have made fire!”

Chuck Noland – Cast Away