All is Lost (2/11/2014)

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language.

Starring Robert Redford

Directed by J.C. Chandor

A story about an old man and the sea.

Deep into a solo voyage in the Indian Ocean, a man (Redford) wakes to find his 39-foot yacht taking on water after a collision with a shipping container left floating on the high seas. With his navigation equipment and radio disabled, the man sails unknowingly into the path of a violent storm. Despite his success in patching the breached hull, his mariner’s intuition and a strength that belies his age, the man barely survives the tempest.

I was recently visiting a friend and we wanted to watch a movie. All is Lost was on pay-per-view so we thought we’d give it a shot. For the next hour and a half, Dave and I watched a 77-year old Redford battle the sea, storms, hunger, thirst and loneliness. And although he has slowed down and age has taken it’s toll, I was extremely impressed by the physical nature of this role.

I’ve never been on a sailboat in the middle of the ocean, but the mere thought of that both excites and scares me at the same time. This film captures both the beauty and the danger of such an adventure.

One of the things that stands out most about this film was the amount of spoken words. The movie runs for about an hour and 45 minutes and there are just a handful of spoken lines – especially if you don’t count the reading of the letter at the very beginning.

That being said, there are two ways to look at that decision: One is to say it was a creative and artistic decision that challenged an actor to carry an entire film without saying much of anything. Another way to look at it would be to say the filmmakers were lazy and took the easy road. I’m going to go with the creative and artistic decision and say that Robert Redford is an amazing actor even at 77.

Finally there is the ending, and honestly I thought it was too much of a cliché. Don’t worry I’m not going to tell you how it ends; all I’ll say is that the ending was disappointing.

This wasn’t the most original or creative film, but it was very well done. It was a “rental” for me.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There is almost no dialogue in the film and what little there is contains 3 F words.

Other than that there is no sex, nudity, or graphic violence. The themes of life, death and one’s own mortality may be too much for younger viewers.

CONVERSATION STARTER

1. What were some of the survival tactics the man uses to survive?


2. Which survival tactic do you think was the most important?


3. How important was hope to the man?


4. What happened when he became hopeless?


5. Read Jeremiah 29:11
   
   For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

   Now read Isaiah 41:10
   Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

   
   
6. How can hope in God help you as you face difficulties?