Its Trevor’s Top 25 Films of the last 25 Years, with #22, CAST AWAY, a 2000 film directed by Robert Zemeckis. A FedEx executive’s plane crash-lands on a deserted island where he must find a way to survive.

This is a profoundly human film. This was a special time when Zemeckis was hiding experimental filmmaking in huge box office hits. Its a simple stark morality play on what is essential human motivation. What do we live for? The beginning is so warm and delightful, that the long silences on the island are jarring. Wilson has become a cultural shorthand joke; but I still get teary when Hanks screams after his beloved volleyball. I love that the last third of the film is messy and awkward, such huge emotions that can’t possibly be reasonable. I often think of Hanks’ line to his friend, a lovely piece of advice for those trapped in dark times. ‘I gotta keep breathing. Because tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?

Best Scene. I love the fire-making sequence. All the island stuff is long languid editing until that smash cut to Wilson when Hanks makes smoke. Then to produce fire, the editing cuts like a thriller. It is a playful powerful example of how important editing is to the rhythm of a scene. But emotionally, that ending floors me. The ambiguity, the delicate swelling string of hope.

Best Performance. I mean, Hanks is just spectacular here, covering all the ranges of the human experience. I especially love his protective insular acting near the ending; very little physical movement, taking everything in with his darting eyes.

A monumental film that explores who we are in our soul.