All Is Lost, 2013.
Directed by J.C. Chandor.
Starring Robert Redford.
SYNOPSIS:
A man is drifting 1700 nautical miles from the Sumatra Straits. How did he get there and will he ever reach dry land again?
J.C. Chandor’s All Is Lost is an original and totally absorbing tale of one man pitted against the elements. It opens with a man adrift on the Indian Ocean, writing a farewell letter to his loved ones. The film’s title doesn’t hold out much hope for Our Man (for this is what he is called in the final credits – a man who dialogues with nobody has no reason to say his name out loud), and the title comes from his own words in the letter. How did he get into such a perilous state?
Cut to eight days earlier, and our man (Robert Redford) is fast asleep on his 39-foot yacht. His wake-up call is a nasty gaping hole in the side of the boat. The boat has rammed the corner of a floating cargo container, which is now firmly attached to the yacht and leaking trainers into the ocean. Rather than swearing, panicking or even seeming particularly perturbed, our man sets about dislodging his boat from the container and mending the rent in the hull. He doesn’t even turn a hair when his computer, navigation equipment and radio have been disabled in the freak accident.
All patched up and ready to go, our man heads off straight into the eye of a terrific and terrifying storm. As with the previous event, our man remains calm, taking time to shave as he knows it could be a while before he gets back in front of a shaving mirror. He gets everything in order in readiness for the humungous storm that hits. Although we know that he must survive this storm, nevertheless we are still anxious about his welfare and survival.
As the film progresses, our man has to overcome a series of disastrous and dramatic events. The film’s strength lies in the wholly undramatic way that the character copes with each problem. There are no tears or recriminations, no berating God or turning to prayer. He does not dwell on his situation as he’s too busy looking for ways out of it. He might not be as quick on his feet as he used to be, but his age is an advantage. He can make do and mend, he is creative and resourceful. This is a man from a generation that knows how to do stuff and Redford encapsulates this magnificently. His understated, undramatic performance holds us spellbound and all whilst barely uttering a word. Chandor has provided Cannes with a seemingly simple film that is actually one of the most unusual of the festival. His tale of this old man and the sea is flawless and has been one of the festival highlights.
Flickering Myth Rating: Film ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Jo Ann Titmarsh
Originally published May 23, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
