Review of Adrift (2018) by Alex Bonafide A — 15 Jun 2018

I found the movie "Passengers" surprisingly enjoyable, so I figured I'd give "Adrift" a try. Instead of the vacuum of space, the vastness of ocean dominates the straightforward (true) story of two lovers that come upon a storm that leaves the boat disabled and their bodies worse for wear. Shailene Woodley in particular cements both the romance and the anxiety in the story, while Sam Claflin's part works but is more functional. The camerawork is a huge contributor to the feelings of desperation, bobbing above and below water when necessary or otherwise focusing on details at different angles. The sound also immerses one (flapping sails, creaking boat, wave crashes) in the panic- you become a close part of the onscreen trauma.

"Adrift" becomes an appropriate title for a sailboat lost at sea, but also for Woodley's bra, which is noticeably and distractedly absent for the entire movie. A scene of her completely nude (though not full-frontal) also creates distraction instead of purely conveying the hopelessness intended. As linear as this movie is, which only narrative deviation are flashbacks peppered throughout the prominent situation, adding Shailene's nipples as a supporting actor creates an unnecessary visual obstacle.