Yo, Robert Redford's on a boat! Unfortunately, The Lonely Island and T-Pain aren't on board to save this jam. All Is Lost showcases all Redford, all the time as a man who fights to survive while stuck at sea.
I applaud the film for unfolding its story in real-time instead of using flashbacks and mythical plotlines to keep things interesting. However, the story is not interesting. The problem is not the minimal dialogue or even the fact that it's a one-man show. The problem is that the film thinks it's deeper than it really is.
Redford's character tries to survive a storm; he tries to repair his boat, find food, etc. It's an obvious Man vs. Nature tale without us ever getting to know the man. There's nothing in this story that justifies why we need to spend time with him. Having the Sundance Kid on board isn't enough"”this premise needs to be more unique. You're better off re-watching 127 Hours, Life of Pi, or Cast Away.
There's a reason why pure character study movies don't get made often (but they should). This was made for older audiences and audiences that really, really appreciate this genre. Despite what the trailer tells you, Redford's performance isn't great, but it's not his fault. He's meant to exude a quiet, understated persona, but it's covered by a story that underwhelms him"”I had a hard time staying awake during the thunderous first half!
Writer-director J.C. Chandor had a Best Original Screenplay Oscar nomination for Margin Call. You could argue All Is Lost is a boatload of metaphors"”including a couple of political ones, but the best thing about this movie is its shots of the seascape"”above and below the surface. At times, it feels Terrence Malick-y, but I wouldn't call All Is Lost Chandor's "Tree of Sea". Instead, All Is Lost should have been a 10-12 minute short film or, at the very least, an epic commercial for Cialis.
