Review of All Is Lost (2013) by Jcasetnl — 14 Feb 2014

This is an entry into the "white people doing things they probably shouldn't" genre. You know, like getting involved in 3rd-world coups, climbing mountains and trying to be friends with grizzly bears.

Then everything goes wrong and it's time to make an inspiring film, instead of highlighting the colossal stupidity that put them in the situation in the first place. This one features a guy in his 70s sailing alone in the Indian Ocean.

It does a fairly good job keeping your interest but the last 45 minutes get tedious and cliche, with the predictable "almost" rescue and the "all hope is lost" scene. Redford has almost no dialog (doesn't even talk to himself).

Likewise, there are no other actors in the film. Critics love these "actor's studio" gimmicks and they explain about 20 points of the meta-score. Bottom line, if you shop at Whole Foods, were ever a fan of Coldplay and have a Thule rack on your car, you will probably be inspired by this film.