London Film Festival Review: All Is Lost (2013)

Cast: Robert Redford
Director: J.C. Chandor
Country: USA
Genre: Action | Drama
Official Trailer: Here

Editor’s Notes: The following review is part of our coverage of the BFI London Film Festival. For more information on the festival visit http://www.bfi.org.uk/lff and follow the event on Twitter at @bfi.

A notice warning all viewers that motion sickness and seasickness are likely to result in the watching of this film should perhaps precede All Is Lost, a film as fine a cast away movie as Cast Away itself. Featuring Robert Redford in the only starring role, All Is Lost is a daring voyage into the ever-growing realm of films that rely on a solitary character to carry the story. Possibly a recipe for disaster, the film is maintained by a captivating performance from Redford and the authenticity of such a dire situation brought to life by clever cinematography, set pieces and special effects.

Despite being the only character onboard the film, Redford simply demands attention; his character’s meticulous technical endeavours, such as repairing the side of the ship and removing the large metal container from the side of his boat though at first appearing mind-numbing are fascinating to watch.

To be succinct, All Is Lost is simply one man versus the sea. After awaking to a metal shipping container lodged in the side of his boat causing water to rush in and destroy his electrical equipment, the unnamed sailor (Robert Redford) is put to the ultimate test in a fight for survival. Despite knowing the ins and outs of sailing lore, the character’s options as to what he can accomplish in a diminishing situation are severely limited. As the film progresses, these options slowly diminish along with the situation, his resilience and the likelihood of his survival. Captivating, exhilarating and occasionally nauseating, All Is Lost is a fine example of skillful and artful handiwork, studying the infinite struggle between man and man’s greatest adversary: the ocean.

Despite being the only character onboard the film, Redford simply demands attention; his character’s meticulous technical endeavours, such as repairing the side of the ship and removing the large metal container from the side of his boat though at first appearing mind-numbing are fascinating to watch. With no explanation of his character whatsoever and little dialogue alongside him, the sailor is depicted as a practical and intelligent human being who wastes no time in doing what needs to be done. The fantastic sound design of the film fills the void left by the absent dialogue; the audience is lavished with the rich sounds of the sea. Every creak of the boat, every gush of water and every ferocious storm are recorded beautifully and, at times, terrifyingly well.

Complementing the exquisite sound design is the cinematography; although capable of inducing nausea, the swinging camera work resonant of a tumultuous and rickety boat upon the sea is endlessly effective. Having to focus on only one character, nothing is missed. Every agonizing roll of the waves and thrash of water upon man is recorded and, although at times painful to watch, such skill truly lays bare the horrifying reality of the sailor’s predicament.

Unlike 127 Hours or Life of Pi, All Is Lost doesn’t depend on narration or explanation to reel the audience in. The sailor isn’t shown trying to contact a family that he may or may not have or writing his endeavours down on paper to provide some sort of retrospective reflection; he simply exists. All that matters is that he survives.

Unlike 127 Hours or Life of Pi, All Is Lost doesn’t depend on narration or explanation to reel the audience in. The sailor isn’t shown trying to contact a family that he may or may not have or writing his endeavours down on paper to provide some sort of retrospective reflection; he simply exists. All that matters is that he survives. Redford and director J.C Chandor create a fantastic channel between the sailor and the audience; it is impossible not to root for him, to celebrate his every success and lament at his every failure. This expert exploitation of empathy is intense; the sailor becomes the audience and the audience the sailor. Despite looking to lose the audience to tedium in its first half, All Is Lost remains utterly gripping throughout. The film burrows into the very emotional core of the audience and stays there until its conclusion, a conclusion that remains foggy indefinitely. The anticipation and unpredictability that accompanies this is deliciously excruciating. Thanks to a powerful performance from Redford and the hands of an expert craftsman molding this film into being, All Is Lost is a truly great filmic endeavour into the sea that maintains its realism and authenticity to a plausible level, taking nothing for granted.

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Zoe De Pasquale

Staff Film Critic

Having been raised on a steady diet of 'Star Wars' and 'The Lord of the Rings', I learned from a very young age that film was a form of escapism, as well as entertainment. I see film as a true form of art, not only because it evokes emotions within a person, but it allows people to learn something about themselves merely by watching. My love for film is intrinsic to who I am and teaches me new things everyday.

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