You have been warned!! Do not waste you money seeing this movie in the theater.
Wait for the rental, and only when you're desperate for something to do!
It's obvious that FedEx has some financial stake in this movie. Tom Hanks plays an executive for Federal Express that survives a plane crash in the Pacific Ocean. I can live with the premise, but does the FedEx logo have to be plastered throughout (and I do mean THROUGHOUT!) the entire movie? The placement was so
purposefully obvious that it was a major distraction.
The only redeeming quality about this movie (and the only thing that saved it from ending up on my top ten LEAST favorite list) is the competence of Tom Hanks as an actor. Now don't get me wrong-since this movie features the triumph of human character and spirit, I should have really enjoyed it. These are the kind of movies that I really love. But for some reason, I didn't feel any sympathy for his character or situation.
The majority of the movie features the Tom Hanks character marooned on an island somewhere in the Pacific Ocean - south of the Cook Islands. He somehow finds a way to survive this ordeal. I found this part of the movie (remember, the majority of the movie) to be EXCRUCIATINGLY BORING! Helen Hunt plays his romantic interest, but this sub-plot is awkwardly placed in the margins of the film. They don't get together in the end (I applaud this non Hollywood approach since she is now married with a daughter), but I again feel no sympathy for him.
The ending of the movie was equally disappointing but welcome nonetheless. I won't go into the details, but it hints at a fateful - possible real soul mate - new love interest for the Tom Hanks character. The problem is, you have to assume that it happens. There is no dramatic, "sweep-her-off-her-feet" scene. It just ends! I desperately wanted to feel something - ANYTHING - for his character. I was hopeful, but
unrewarded.
I saw this movie with Doug, Jill, and Bob. They all liked it better than me, albeit in varying degrees. The range of Tom Hanks as an actor cannot save a movie with such commercialism and limited plot. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! |
