Watched: All Is Lost
I feel like this is the sort of movie that will burn quietly and slowly for a long time after - Robert Redford communicates almost entirely in expressions and his physical movement throughout All Is Lost, and as a result you’re left wondering about the inner workings of his head during the downbeats. There are some cryptic ideas in the opening monologue, - an apology of sorts to family back home, maybe - but that’s the extent of the backstory he receives. And that’s good - so much of this film is about dealing with the immediate crisis at hand, and tying it to some emotional flashback or constant self-narration would just look awkward.
People have described this as Gravity at sea, and while there’s some of that - Redford’s character is subjected to the worst of the elements, and his situation goes from bad to worse to utterly dire - it’s also more meditative. You’re given time to contemplate life in this man’s shoes. The score fades in and out, more often than not allowing for a little harmony to open the film up and let it breathe.
This was good. Trying to ascribe some intent beyond simple survival on the part of the filmmakers is maybe going a little far, but a combination of Redford’s acting and the pace of the film gives the audience just as much room to fill in the gaps - and therin lies All Is Lost’s heart. As a piece of participatory cinema, it’s excellent.