REVIEW: A man’s ‘silent’ struggle to survive in the film ‘All is Lost’

MANILA, Philippines- Set on the deep and vast waters of Indian Ocean, an unnamed man (Robert Redford) is on a solo voyage.

The series of unfortunate events started when his boat collides with a shipping container, damaging the side of his boat, as well as his communicating and navigating devices. But despite all of these, his knowledge as a marine was useful to control the damage caused by the container.

But after repairing his boat, another event tries his strength as he braves a storm in the middle of the ocean. This part could be described as “breath-taking” as he drowned several times in an attempt to save his boat and his life.

But in the end, he chose to get off the boat and stay on a life raft.

As the storm passes and the sea begins to calm, he gets enough supplies, maps, a notebook and the tool called sextant before his boat totally sinks into the ocean.

To be able to survive and find help, the man decided to follow the current that will take him on the shipping lanes—the part of the ocean where most ships pass by.

His journey continues and he braves another storm, almost drowning as his life raft is turned over by the strong and big waves. But again, with his knowledge and strength despite his age and condition, the man survives another storm on the ocean.

The man’s luck and faith is once again challenged as he gets nearer the shipping lane. In an attempt to fish for food, he nearly become the prey of the sharks lurking under his life raft. He then decides to let go of his improvised fishing rod and sit still to escape sharks.

Finally, the man reaches the shipping lane and finds a ship not far from his location. He called out for help as he uses the signalling flares to call its attention. But the ship passes by and does not rescue him.

Then another ship comes near, prompting him to use his last  two signalling flares, but the ship does not notice him again.

Slowly, the man is losing hope of being rescued. But then he sees a light not far from his location again. Without signalling flares left, he then burns his notebook and maps to call the boat’s attention.

This caused his life raft to burn as well, so he jumps onto the ocean. Thinking that he won’t be saved anymore and with his body slowly getting weak, the man decides to stop swimming and let his body sink in the water.

But then he notices the light getting nearer his burning life raft. So he swims up until a hand reaches for him.

Besides showing a man’s struggle to survive in the vast ocean, the film “All is Lost”  seeks to show a deeper message to the viewers: that in life, in the point where we choose to give up on what we’re fighting for, that’s the exact moment when miracles do happen.

“All is Lost” is directed by J.C. Chandor, with musical score by Alex Ebert and is exclusively shown at SM Cinemas starting February 5.