Cast Away (2000)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Robert Zemeckis

Writer (WGA):

William Broyles Jr. (written by)

Release Date:

22 December 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama

Tagline:

At the edge of the world, his journey begins.

Plot:

A FedEx executive must transform himself physically and emotionally to survive a crash landing on a deserted island.

Plot Keywords:

Survival | Raft | Storm | Christmas | Stranded

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 11 wins & 21 nominations

Cast

Paul Sanchez	...	Ramon
Lari White	...	Bettina Peterson
Leonid Citer	...	Fyodor
David Allen Brooks	...	Dick Peterson
Jelena Papovic	...	Beautiful Russian Woman (as Yelena Papovic)
Valentina Ananyina	...	Russian Babushka
Semion Sudarikov	...	Nicolai
Tom Hanks	...	Chuck Noland
Peter von Berg	...	Yuri (as Peter Von Berg)
Dmitri S. Boudrine	...	Lev
François Duhamel	...	French FedEx Loader
Michael Forest	...	Pilot Jack
Viveka Davis	...	Pilot Gwen
Nick Searcy	...	Stan
Jennifer Choe	...	Memphis State Student

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for intense action sequences and some disturbing images

Runtime:

143 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Russian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | Finland:K-12 | Malaysia:U | South Korea:12 | Brazil:12 (DVD rating) | Brazil:Livre | Italy:T | India:UA | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:PG | Chile:TE | Denmark:11 | France:U | Germany:12 (w) | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:M | Norway:11 | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #37850)

Filming Locations:

Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company:

DreamWorks SKG

Trivia:

The moment before Chuck removes his tooth in the cave, he tells Wilson his dentist in Memphis is called "Dr. James Spalding". In the German version anyway, the German voice of Noland says "Dr. James Volley", maybe because only a few in Germany are familiar with the American label "Spalding".

Goofs:

Continuity: When the FedEx MD-11 is diving towards the ocean, the First Officer's altitude indicator (visible by his left shoulder) shows that the aircraft is climbing gently.

Quotes:

Chuck Noland: We might just make it. Did that thought ever cross your brain? Well regardless I would rather take my chance out there on the ocean, that to stay here and die on this shithole island spending the rest of my life talking to a god damn VOLLEYBALL.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Ugly Betty: The Lyin', the Watch and the Wardrobe (#1.5)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Return to Sender

Definitely worth a couple viewings.

I'll be honest, the first time I saw this film, I wasn't too sure if I liked it. I mean, I certainly enjoyed it, but I just wasn't too sure of how I felt about the film as a whole. I must say that this film was MUCH better the second time around. And just got better with each additional viewing. I am a huge Robert Zemeckis fan, so maybe my expectations were slightly skewed at first. But, all in all, I've watched the film enough times now that I can say "I love this film!!!"

When I really stop and think about it, the film is brilliantly executed. The scenery is absolutely breath taking, the special effects are so well done that you don't even realize that there are special effects present. This seems to be a trademark of Robert Zemeckis (case and point, "Forrest Gump"). The acting is very good, although, there's only 2 real sources of acting in this film, Tom Hanks and Helen Hunt. The rest of the cast was good, but their roles were very minor. Tom Hanks pulls off another great performance, as usual. You really can feel all of his emotions while he's stuck on the island. Also, not many actors have changed their physical appearance like Tom Hanks did for this film, I truly applaud him for his work. As much as I liked Russell Crow in "Gladiator", I firmly believe that Tom Hanks deserved it more (although that would be his third Oscar). Helen Hunt also pulls off a very nice performance. There is also a good deal of comedy in the film, and it is done very well.

This is one of the few films that I strongly recommend you watch. There aren't a great many films that I would say this, but this one I would. Although...if you aren't a fan of Tom Hanks, then you might have some trouble with this film because a great deal of the film is him alone on an island. So, if that is the case, then you are off the hook. So, I hope you watch the film, and I hope that you enjoy it. Thanks for reading,

-Chris