All Is Lost

J.C. Chandor's extraordinary adventure film revolves around a lone sailor's struggle to survive at sea, a challenge that begins when a 39-foot yacht is struck by a metal shipping container that is full of Chinese-made children's shoes. The Virginia Jean's unnamed grizzled owner (Robert Redford) awakens to an inundation of seawater pouring into the cabin. Sailing in the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean with his navigation equipment and radio deactivated, he's barely able to patch up the damaged hull before being battered by wind and rain from a violent storm that capsizes the boat in open water, some 1,700 miles from the Sumatra straits. Perilously adrift in a life raft, with only a sextant and nautical maps, the resourceful mariner must improvise, relying on ocean currents to carry him into a shipping lane—in hopes of hailing a passing vessel. But soon sharks are circling, his water supply is exhausted, and he's left fighting for his life. Charismatic Redford's compelling, subtly edgy, complex performance (with little dialogue) combines intelligence with uncertainty and fear. Chandor boldly relies on minimalist, Hemingway-esque realism and naturalistic sounds to sustain suspense in this powerful film about human ingenuity and dogged perseverance. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by writer-director J.C. Chandor and producers Neal Dodson and Anna Gerb, the production featurettes “The Sound” (12 min.), “Preparing for the Storm”—including storyboards, a visual effects reel, and time-lapse footage (8 min.), “Big Film, Small Film” (6 min.), and “The Story” (4 min.), as well as “The Actor” on star Robert Redford (5 min.), “The Filmmaker” on Chandor (3 min.), trailers, and a bonus UltraViolet copy of the film. Bottom line: a fine extras package for an excellent film.] (S. Granger)