Even with films from big-hitters like Alexander Payne, James Gray, Jim Jarmusch and Roman Polanski still to come, it seems to us like it’s been a pretty decent year at Cannes so far (with our personal highlights including “Inside Llewyn Davis,” “Like Father Like Son“ and “We Are What We Are“). But there’s one film in particular that wasn’t especially high on the radars of many, which suddenly blew up this morning when it first screened for the press; J.C. Chandor‘s “All Is Lost.”
The filmmaker broke out two years back with “Margin Call,” an acclaimed Sundance film that proved to be a pioneering hit on VOD and in theaters, as well as picking up the first-time writer/director an Oscar nomination for his screenplay. He followed it up with something quite different; from a talky ensemble piece to a film featuring one person — legendary star Robert Redford — and almost no dialogue. The reviews for both Redford and the film have been buzzing around the Croisette all day, and now, the first clip from the film has been released, giving us a taste of what everyone’s been raving about.
It’s not especially action-packed — the film sees Redford, who plays a man whose yacht sails into the path of a terrible storm — featuring Redford climbing a mast to fix up a sail, but it’s already clear that Chandor’s brought a visceral and impressive style to proceedings. We’re going to be catching up with the film tomorrow, so we’ll be able to let you know very soon if Redford gives the Oscar-worthy performance that so many are talking up today. Meanwhile, you can watch the clip below, as well as read a full synopsis, and you’ll be able to see the film in full when Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions release it on October 25th.
Using only a sextant and nautical maps to chart his progress, he is forced to rely on ocean currents to carry him into a shipping lane in hopes of hailing a passing vessel. But with the sun unrelenting, sharks circling and his meager supplies dwindling, the ever-resourceful sailor soon finds himself staring his mortality in the face.