Review of All Is Lost (2013) by Tyler R — 27 Sep 2014

If you want to test an actor's ability, have them be the only actor for the vast majority of the film. Ryan Reynolds nailed it in Buried as did Sandra Bullock in Gravity. And now Robert Redford, already a legend in his own right, proves once again why he deserves that title.

All Is Lost follows a man as he try to survives a boating accident. The dialogue we get is basically none outside of an opening voice over and a distress call around the middle. Other than that, the film is practically silent.

Our protagonist has no name, we don't know anything about him, and we don't even know why he's out in the middle of the ocean. None of this information is ever provided to the audience, nor is any of it hinted at, yet, it doesn't feel necessary.

Robert Redford carries the film with a fantastic performance as he goes from one trial to the next. It all feels natural, much like Tom Hanks in Castaway. Our protagonist isn't McGuyver, and a lot of their ideas don't work and have a magical effect that saves them or provides them with anything instantaneously.

They're real men. And in the case of All Is Lost, they're broken down to the end of their rope by the time the credits roll, giving it that much needed emotional impact. And by the time the credits do roll, the viewer is treated to a fantastic performance from a legendary actor.