We have seen quite a few survivor/lost genre films (127 Hours, Life of Pie, Gravity etc.) in last few years. All is Lost belongs to the same genre, which is written and directed by J.C. Chandor. But unlike other similar movies, here it takes a very different route. This movie is unfeigned survival thriller of the year. In fact, All is Lost may be the best film of its type (lost/survival) I've seen.
Saw the movie at the recently concluded MFF. Let me say it right away that this movie is not for the general moviegoer, as it can be difficult to sit through with its almost no dialogue (save a few words), zero backstory , just one character and genre that isn't about sentimentality, but simply about a man doing everything he can to stay alive."Our Man" is how Robert Redford is referred in the credits of the movie. He is awakened during his voyage in the Indian Ocean to find his boat has collided with a stray container and the cabin room is being flooded. The narrative follows the character and is more of a procedural kind, as he deals straightforwardly with a series of imminent threats to his boat. He neither panics nor gives up, but instead he relentlessly tries to solve the next important problem for his survival with whatever tools he has at hand, often improvising shrewdly.
The real star of the show here though, is the movie's only star, Robert Redford, who gives straightforward and understated performance, he commands the screen in such authoritative way that one gets involved with the character.The film's crisis repeat cycle can be exhausting, which is where I felt it could be 10-15 minutes short, but Redford's deliberate and convincing approach to performing each task makes it all very gripping. Music,here is used sparsely at the right moments and majority of the tension is drawn from superb use of sound effects.
Director J.C. Chandor makes sure the suspense is maintained throughout as film sets up the idea that something will probably go wrong until the final seconds. Very few filmmakers produce their second movie this strong. Haven't watched his debut flick 'A Margin Call' but now I am immediately trying to procure it.
To the average viewer it may put to sleep, but for those who go knowingly of its presence, it will show you an important piece of honest film-making. And also I am up for whatever comes next from J.C.Chandor.
Saw the movie at the recently concluded MFF. Let me say it right away that this movie is not for the general moviegoer, as it can be difficult to sit through with its almost no dialogue (save a few words), zero backstory , just one character and genre that isn't about sentimentality, but simply about a man doing everything he can to stay alive."Our Man" is how Robert Redford is referred in the credits of the movie. He is awakened during his voyage in the Indian Ocean to find his boat has collided with a stray container and the cabin room is being flooded. The narrative follows the character and is more of a procedural kind, as he deals straightforwardly with a series of imminent threats to his boat. He neither panics nor gives up, but instead he relentlessly tries to solve the next important problem for his survival with whatever tools he has at hand, often improvising shrewdly.
The real star of the show here though, is the movie's only star, Robert Redford, who gives straightforward and understated performance, he commands the screen in such authoritative way that one gets involved with the character.The film's crisis repeat cycle can be exhausting, which is where I felt it could be 10-15 minutes short, but Redford's deliberate and convincing approach to performing each task makes it all very gripping. Music,here is used sparsely at the right moments and majority of the tension is drawn from superb use of sound effects.
Director J.C. Chandor makes sure the suspense is maintained throughout as film sets up the idea that something will probably go wrong until the final seconds. Very few filmmakers produce their second movie this strong. Haven't watched his debut flick 'A Margin Call' but now I am immediately trying to procure it.
To the average viewer it may put to sleep, but for those who go knowingly of its presence, it will show you an important piece of honest film-making. And also I am up for whatever comes next from J.C.Chandor.
