Wednesday, October 23, 2013

All is Lost Review - 3 Stars

Robert Redford finds himself in the middle of the ocean without a working radio or cellphone in a sinking sailboat.  “All is Lost” begins with a letter to Redford’s family telling them he did everything he could to survive.  And then we settle in to watch him battle the elements.  Redford is 76 and certainly charismatic.  He appears to do most of his stunts, including climbing to the top of a very tall mast.  “All is Lost” plays with a minimum of dialog–so it requires more than the usual effort by the viewer.  I imagine Redford will receive many acting nominations for this project.  I can’t call it entertaining.  In fact at times it feels tedious.  Many will rhapsodize over the story and Redford’s performance.   “All is Lost” reminds me of “Gravity” without the special effects.  I think I’ll stick with “Gravity”.  Does it deliver what it promises?  Robert Redford fights for his life in a sinking boat.  Is it entertaining?  Redford’s performance is noteworthy.  Is it worth the price of admission?  I didn’t love this one but I think it will be one of the buzzed about movies of the year.