Intermission: Hanks convincing in Zemeckis' 'Cast Away'

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|bold_on|"Cast Away"|bold_on||ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Directed by: Robert Zemeckis|bold_on||ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Starring: Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt|bold_on||ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Rated: PG-13|bold_on||ret||ret||tab|

The best and worst things about the Christmas season blockbuster "Cast Away" are the strengths and weaknesses of the film's two main forces, star Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis.|ret||ret||tab|

There's not an actor working today that has more screen presence than Tom Hanks. |ret||ret||tab|

Audiences love the guy, root for him and care about him and what happens to any character he presents. From the slow-witted Forrest Gump, to the platoon leader in "Saving Private Ryan," audiences and critics around the world have praised him to the point where he can honestly lay claim to the title The World's Most Beloved Actor. |ret||ret||tab|

So, there's no better choice to play the role of Chuck Noland, the efficiency expert who spends four years alone on an island somewhere in the Pacific.|ret||ret||tab|

As for the negative part of the equation, to me it's director Robert Zemeckis's broad-stroke style. Before he entered the upper echelon of Hollywood mega-money directors, Zemeckis put out few really good comedies. "I Want to Hold Your Hand," was a tribute to the wacky days of the Beatles' invasion, and "Used Cars" was an underrated film that has become a video store cult classic. |ret||ret||tab|

His first huge-money movie, "1941," was a bust, and while the "Back to the Future" franchise made a killing at the box office, artistically the films left me cold. Even "Forrest Gump," which was critically acclaimed and a big moneymaker, left a lot out of the character that Gump was in the novel. |ret||ret||tab|

With "Cast Away," Zemeckis hits somewhere in the middle, but rest assured, this will be one of the top moneymakers and one of the most highly praised films of the year.|ret||ret||tab|

It should be noted that in such films as "Back to the Future," product placement added a huge sum to the operating budget. The director is at it again here, as Chuck Noland works for Federal Express, whose logo and images are all over the place and for which I'm sure the carrier paid a tidy sum.|ret||ret||tab|

It's Christmastime, and Chuck has an emergency run to take care of. His last words to his fiance Kelly played by the extremely likable Helen Hunt are, "I'll be right back!" |ret||ret||tab|

Chuck's plane goes down while trying to avoid a storm in the Pacific. He's the only survivor and finds himself alone on a tropical island. Broken from the crash and suffering from a toothache as well, Chuck does what he can to stay alive. One thing that keeps him going is the antique watch with Kelly's picture inside that she gave him for Christmas.|ret||ret||tab|

Much of the middle act of the film is played without dialogue, until the advent of "Wilson." FedEx packages have been washing ashore, and reluctantly Chuck begins to open them (all but one, which plays a big part in the film's finale). In one of the packages is a soccer ball, Wilson brand more product placement which gets transformed into the head of a much-needed companion. In another package are a pair of ice skates that become tools of all trades for the castaway. |ret||ret||tab|

The film abruptly jumps four years ahead, where a bearded, wild-haired and slightly crazed Noland plans a desperate escape from the island on a homemade raft. He's rescued at sea and FedEx plans a high-profile homecoming. The state of Kelly's life throws a big curve to what should be a completely joyous time.|ret||ret||tab|

Even with my misgivings about the Zemeckis style, I enjoyed "Cast Away," and Hanks gives another award-winning performance. |ret||ret||tab|

"Cast Away" is playing at Battlefield Mall 6, 882-6844; Campbell 16 Cin, 890-7800; and Town & Country 6, 864-4373.|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|(Jim Wunderle works at Associated Video Producers and is a Springfield free-lance writer and musician.)|ret||ret||tab|

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