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musings on
synchronicity
and the value of
paying attention

Believe it or not, this modern-day Robinson Crusoe story starts out in a Russian FedEx warehouse. Tom Hanks, our Everyman hero, has his hands full trying to convey the time-obsessed realities of the corporate tagline (The World. On Time.) to his newly minted employees.

Eventually, everything FedEx connects to Memphis and Hanks is no exception, although it seems he barely has time to change clothes as he zooms to catch the next flight. He and his girlfriend (played by Helen Hunt) even resort to consulting their DayPlanners to find a substitute time to celebrate the holidays.

In the car at the airport (again), Hanks and Hunt lightheartedly exchange Christmas gifts, with one surprise—Hanks offers an engagement ring. Then he hikes across the tarmac assuring Hunt that he'll be back soon. Famous last words. When the cargo plane falls out of the sky—in one of the most amazing pre-LOST crash sequences, Hanks faces a reality that no clocks can affect.

The heart of this film is in the tranformation Hanks undergoes after he washes up on a small island in the South Pacific. Once he realizes he won't be immediately found, Hanks must decide if he wants to survive and how he can stay alive with what he finds on the island and whhat's in the assortment of cargo he rescued from the ocean. Unlike Robinson Crusoe, Hanks has no Friday to keep him company. But remaining completely alone is not an option, either. As Hanks stumbles on a solution, we are drawn into his challenge and are impressed with his creativity.

Ultimately, Hanks must get past even more barriers in order to put himself in a position to be found. And once home, he recognizes the life he left behind no longer exists and he faces yet another opportunity for transformation.

The first time I saw this film was in its edited-for-TV version. I'm not sure why I missed it on the big screen, but even on thesmall one, I was unexpectedly drawn into this story. Whether or not you like Tom Hanks, this performance is superb. We're with him through the highs and lows and eventual reconfiguration he starts. Because the story of facing-challenge-and-surviving mirrors the universal human condition, we never tire of watching others face their demons and prevail.

Two DVD versions are available, so if you purchase instead of rent, be sure to pick the one you'll use. The "full screen" package (designed for the standard 3:4 TV format) contains one disk with the movie and director's commentary. The widescreen edition is a two-disk set with additional features, including the theatrical trailer, TV program and featurettes, documentaries, art gallery, and storyboards.

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