The emergence of the “New Hollywood” era in American filmmaking saw a rise in uniquely versatile actors whose screen personas varied drastically from the preceding generation’s stars. Chief among this new crop of talent was Robert Redford, a sharply charismatic performer known for playing heroic roles.
Whether he was a real-life journalist in All the President’s Men, a streetwise bank robber in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, or an unassuming political novice in The Candidate, Redford exuded authority and integrity in his best roles.
His naturally upbeat personality and knack for delivering verbose passages of dialogue were essential in the creation of his characters.
Although much of his best work was defined by iconic lines, Redford’s nearly silent performance in the survival thriller All Is Lost ranks among his very best.
What Is ‘All Is Lost’ About?
While its plot closely aligns with that of a traditional survival thriller, All Is Lost is a deeply metaphorical adventure film where the main antagonist is the abstract concept of fate.
Set during a devastating storm in the middle of the Indian Ocean, All Is Lost follows an aging sailor who is attempting to reach the surface in a small boat.
Although an introductory sequence implies that this old man is the survivor of a disaster on a vessel moving towards a collection of shipping containers, there is little to no information given on Redford’s character or his background.
The only hints about his life outside of this specific voyage is a brief instance at the opening of the film in which the character narrates a letter intended to reach his loved ones in the case of his death.
While a film so sparsely plotted could easily become quite dull, Redford manages to add complexity to a seemingly straightforward character.
Adding in a melodramatic backstory would have only distracted from the story that the film is telling; the audience, like the character himself, is only left to focus on the immediate task of surviving this perilous ordeal.
The character does not contain any baggage that would complicate his situation; the audience can’t cast judgment on the character, and thus must relate to his primal desire to emerge victorious.
While there are no flashbacks that would weigh the narrative down, it’s hard not to immediately empathize with Redford given his history of giving great performances.
The lack of dialogue feels completely authentic given the situation that the character is in, as All Is Lost does not play into the overdramatized qualities that define many survival thrillers.
This is a man who knows that he must preserve his energy, and understands that there’s no hope in trying to reason with the unwieldy forces of nature. Despite the silent nature of his role, Redford adds physical nuances to the role that identify his character’s motivations.
The brash, workmanlike way he seems to perform his tasks suggests that this is a character whose life has been dominated by time spent conducting remedial activities.
There’s a dash of defiance in his consummate professionalism in the face of overwhelming danger, as if the old man is refusing to accept the disturbing fate that could await him.
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