In Theaters: All is Lost ****

One man, adrift for eight days on the Indian Ocean.

In a nutshell, that's what director J.C. Chandor's brilliant new film All is Lost is about.  Sure, there are details, but, to be honest, there aren't that many.  The main character doesn't even have a name -- he's credited as "Our Man."  There's no backstory, no explanation as to why he's on his boat in the first place, and, other than a few lines here and there, there's not really any dialogue.

I know it sounds like a bore, but it's not.  In fact, All is Lost is one of the most riveting and emotional movies you'll ever see.  The fact that it succeeds is a testament mostly to the ability of its leading man, Robert Redford, who brings to the role every bit of his trademark charisma and star power, along with a whole bunch of stuff we've rarely seen from him before.

The movie opens when Our Man's sailboat, the "Virginia Jean," collides with a floating shipping container, leaving a gaping whole in the side and disabling his navigation and communication equipment.  This sets off a chain of events wherein the man does everything he can to save his boat and then himself, all the time displaying the cool competence of an able seaman.  

Like I said, there are no other characters and Our Man doesn't stop to explain what he's doing out loud.  But, because the movie is so well shot and acted, the audience is never confused or at loss, we are engaged every step of the way.

Once again, I can't say enough about Redford's performance in this film.  He's always been more of a "movie star" than an "actor."  But, with this film, he is both at the same time.  He's spent over four decades building a relationship with movie-going audiences, which means that no backstory is necessary to make us root for him from the outset.  However, getting us on board is only half the battle -- he's also got to keep us there, all without playing off of other actors or even the benefit of dialogue.

He accomplishes this feat with a subtle, nuanced performance, conveying wit and intelligence without overplaying a thing.  By the time the film is over, the audience is mesmerized, following every movement and mannerism.  He will almost certainly be nominated for an Oscar...and he just might win.

Chandor's technical prowess behind the camera should also be praised.  I was not one those who went gaga over his directorial debut, Margin Call a few years back.  It was fine, it just didn't resonate all that much with me.  But, between that film and All is Lost, we may be witnessing the emergence of one of the most eclectic and versatile directors working today.  I am, no pun intended, completely on board to see whatever Chandor does next.

In short, this is a marvelous film.  One of the best of the year.