“All Is Lost”(2013)

was likely the last movie I saw in a theatre when it first came out. Today I had a chance to watch it again.

The most obvious thing to say about this tale of one man’s attempted survival on the high seas after his small yacht has been damaged by a derelict cargo container is that this is a movie about wishful thinking right through to the ending.

There are several key moments involving two bad storms, a dinghy, a sextant, passing cargo ships, flares, and finally, a fire to attract the attention of a cargo ship by night.
This, though, is a film about the step-by-steps in dealing with crisis, and desperate attempts to stay alive in an effort to be rescued.

‘Man vs. Nature’ seems too glib a high-school English phrase to apply to this film.
Much of its power depends on a frail-looking Everyman’s (a very sympathetic Robert Redford) reactions to setbacks, the movie’s soundtrack of sounds and subtle electronic music, and its realistic camera work (notably via hand-held camera and POV shots).

Despite the lack of dialogue and lack of other characters, the film manages to maintain suspense and gives the viewer a strong sense of ‘being there’ with the man as he fights to stay alive.

In addition to the main feature on this Blu-Ray and DVD package, there are several features including director J.C. Chandor’s commentary, a storm featurette, 3 vignettes (focusing on the story, Redford and Chandor), a sound featurette, and one other featurette. It was quite interesting to see how the film was made, what some of its special effects are, and the planning and work that went into making this unique ‘little’ film.

(Online, incidentally, I noticed that some actual mariners have commented on the film, too, pointing out mistakes the man made as he adapted to his changing situation.)

Overall, All Is Lost is a memorable movie right to the end with an ambiguous ending that leaves the viewer with things to think or chat about afterward. Recommended, especially if you like realistic, unembellished survival stories.

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