All is Lost (2013)

My IMDb Rating: 9

Average IMDb Rating: 6.9

Vitals

Runtime: 103 minutes

Directed by: J.C. Chandor

Written by: J.C. Chandor

Starring

Robert Redford (The Candidate, Three Days of the Condor)

Synopsis

Robert Redford stars as the main character in this one-man film, who is never given a name and is only referred to in the credits as “the man”.

The film follows the journey of the sailor across the Indian Ocean as he is forced to contend with a life-threatening situation after his boat strikes a wayward shipping container and a hole is ripped into its hull. After a series of actions to get things under control, he discovers he is heading into a tropical storm. After a series of near-death experiences, the boat sinks and he is forced aboard his life raft.

While on the raft, he survives another storm and another series of unfortunate events. On what he believes is his last day, he scraps together a message in a bottle and throws it out into the current. At night, he sees a boat light in the distance and uses his last remaining belongings to create a fire to grab its attention. The fire spirals out of control and sinks his raft. He allows himself to sink, but at the very end, he sees a search light and a hull near the surface. He swims up and grasps an outstretched hand.

Analysis

This film is a stunning visual performance. Offering only 51 words of dialogue, it is a feast for the eyes. It might come across as boring since it is only one character and minimal dialogue, but it is about his action and struggle for survival. In that way, it bears some resemblance to Cast Away.

I found this film suspenseful throughout since I had no expectations going in. I had not seen the trailer or read a review. It is certainly a tour-de-force for one actor to rely primarily on his acting skills alone for 103 minutes.If you like Robert Redford, sailing, the ocean, or survival movies, you will enjoy this one.

Notes

The film’s soundtrack is composed by Alex Ebert, frontman of the indie band Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

At the time of this writing, the film maintains a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.

The movie was not well received by the sailing community who dubbed it unrealistic due to the boat’s lack of certain safety equipment that is considered standard on sailboats navigating open ocean.

Robert Redford was 77 when this movie came out.

The visuals of open ocean and of the storm were excellent works by cinematographer Frank G. DeMarco.

Trailer