Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on March 2014

In what has been called an “existential action movie,” a man sailing solo across the Indian Ocean gets his schooner holed by a derelict shipping container, knocking out his navi and radio. The unnamed protagonist is experienced, well equipped, and resourceful. He patches the hole, but as each new emergency befalls his crippled craft, it becomes clear that his main battle is going to be against despair. This is minimalist movie making to the max. There’s almost no dialogue, only one character (Robert Redford, great at 77) and, get this, zero backstory. Reminded me of Gravity, actually. (106 min)