Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Jeff Bridges | ... | Max Klein | |
Isabella Rossellini | ... | Laura Klein | |
Rosie Perez | ... | Carla Rodrigo | |
Tom Hulce | ... | Brillstein | |
John Turturro | ... | Dr. Bill Perlman | |
Benicio Del Toro | ... | Manny Rodrigo | |
Deirdre O'Connell | ... | Nan Gordon | |
John de Lancie | ... | Jeff Gordon (as John De Lancie) | |
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Spencer Vrooman | ... | Jonah Klein |
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Daniel Cerny | ... | Byron Hummel |
Eve Roberts | ... | Gail Klein | |
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Robin Pearson Rose | ... | Sarah |
Debra Monk | ... | Alison | |
Cynthia Mace | ... | Cindy Dickens | |
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Randle Mell | ... | Peter Hummel |
After a terrible air disaster, survivor Max Klein emerges a changed person. Unable to connect to his former life or to wife Laura, he feels godlike and invulnerable. When psychologist Bill Perlman is unable to help Max, he has Max meet another survivor, Carla Rodrigo, who is racked with grief and guilt since her baby died in the crash which she and Max survived. Written by Reid Gagle
Films like this, where the main character survives a plane crash, reveal more of how unprepared a hunter gatherer mind is to the trauma of the modern world, let alone after a traumatic event. When the fight or flight mechanism is unable to function, when there's nowhere to run and nothing can be done, the stress and anguish experienced must be one of the most painful emotions a human mind can experience. We also get another perspective, perhaps one more recognisable, through the helplessness of losing a loved one, a young child, in the same tragedy, completely unprepared and instant.
Yet we continue to push, push, push, backing ourselves into metaphorical corners with no means to escape or defend ourselves. This is deep introspective film making, as relevant as ever, with great performances from some truly great actors.