The film begins with two different people delivering FedEx packages to two different clients. So far, everything is going fine.

The next scene switches to a FedEx facility. A man named Chuck Noland is in charge, and he announces that he wants everyone to speed up the process of packing items—especially because it’s the Christmas season. Therefore, crunch time begins.

Outside of his work life, Chuck has a girlfriend called Kelly Frears. The two have a sweet relationship.

At some point, Chuck, Kelly, and a bunch of other people are enjoying Christmas dinner together. However, Chuck gets a toothache. But Kelly helps him move past that.

Chuck needs to go on a business trip to Malaysia. He and Kelly want to take their relationship to the next level. Kelly gives him something and hopes that he’ll propose to her soon. Chuck assures her that he will return by the new year.

Shortly after, Chuck is on a plane for his trip. During the flight, turbulence occurs—and it grows out of control. The plane even lands in the water.

Chuck ends up stranded on a deserted island in the Pacific. He calls for help several times… but no one responds. That makes him have to face the fact that he is all alone now.

Sometime later, Chuck finds some FedEx packages that were also on the plane. And they luckily aid him for survival.

However, he also finds the pilot’s dead body, which he buries. A ship comes by, too. Chuck tries to get its attention. Unfortunately, that fails.

Chuck builds a raft with what he has or can find and tries to sail out on his own. Sadly, he is unable to travel further than several feet.

Chuck does a lot to help him survive, from hunting seafood to drinking coconut milk from the fresh coconuts to even making fire. Later, he cuts himself and accidentally puts blood on a volleyball that had been part of one of the packages. He makes a face on it with his blood and names it Wilson. This is to “keep him company.” Chuck has “conversations” with Wilson for the next four years.

After that time has passed, Chuck has a beard, unruly hair, and no clothes except for an old cloth tied around his waist. He decides to make another attempt to travel off the island.

He builds another raft with sturdier materials and sails off the island. But the waves are rough and cause Wilson the volleyball to fly off. Chuck swims to retrieve it but is unsuccessful. He cries over his loss of Wilson… until a ship finally comes close to him.

The next scene switches to Chuck on a plane back home. His hair has been cut, his face has been shaved, and he has regular clothes on.

But things might not be the same when he returns home because everybody thought he had died. Kelly even married another man and had a child with him.

What will happen to Chuck?

This movie had an interesting premise. There are a lot of stories about a character who gets separated from civilization and has to find out how to survive.

Chuck was a likable character. I admired how he got creative once stranded on the island. I also appreciate how the FedEx packages contained items that would help Chuck make it out alive.

There was also a part where Chuck read a birthday card from a grandpa to grandchild that was supposed to be delivered. Although it didn’t assist him with survival, I actually liked that scene.

The idea of Chuck having a volleyball companion was clever. After all, he was all alone for a few years.

It’s also great how he continued to function after returning to society. People can lose their memories if they are not around other humans for a long time. But, then again, movies are not always realistic. That can be both a drawback and a perk.

Which brings me to my next thought: the last several minutes had too much content. I’m not going to spoil the ending. But I do think a good amount could have been cut or shortened before the end.

This movie is almost two and a half hours long. It easily could have been two and a quarter hours long.

On the bright side, the beginning was strong. I particularly loved the use of Elvis songs.

Overall, I thought Cast Away was decent. Even though I enjoyed the island moments, I do think the story would have been better if it were tightened during the last third.

I give this film 3.5 out of 5 stars.