“All Is Lost”

[H2operator]

I haven't noticed any other posts regarding films, I tried to watch All Is Lost recently and was seriously disappointed! I wasn't sure if Robert Redford had a background in sailing but was pretty sure that he didn't after a few minutes in.
I heard his interview on Fresh Air and was intrigued, he talked about making the movie and it sounded promising. I've never been in a situation where the boat was seriously compromised but I've read up about it and talked to people who have. I've got a pretty good idea of what I would do and there's no doubt that most people who are or may be venturing offshore do as well! The character in the film goes against most common sense instincts, maybe that's on purpose to build tension but in my case I thought that is was ridiculous and distracting.  After all aren't movies and books about adventure and survival more satisfying when the writer has done their research?
Your thoughts?

[Salty19]

Long time member and all around good (but clutzy) guy "crazycarl" gave a critically acclaimed review awhile back.

No question, the guy was a total moron.  Gives us sailors a bad name. 
And the actor wasn't too bright either.... (teehee)

http://cpyoa.geekworkshosting.com/forum/index.php?topic=7256.0

[H2operator]

Ha! I read the posts, pretty funny and spot on! I was trying to be diplomatic in case someone really liked it but it looks like I'm in good company. Actually I couldn't watch it to the end, too frustrating and idiotic.
Lance

[Bob23]

Although quite unrealistic, I enjoyed the cinematography.

[crazycarl]

Although quite unrealistic, I enjoyed the cinematography.

Says the guy who drinks PBR because it comes in a pretty can!

[Bob23]

Carl- I love you man!!
  Seems you are a bit delinquent in your membership dues...we'll talk about it over a pretty can of PBR at CLR!!

[mattman]

I watched the movie, and was initially pretty disappointed with what I was seeing. But then I thought, about it in a much more probable manner. The captain was an elderly gentleman, he looked somewhat frail and tired, sleep deprived, he had been sailing for a week, two weeks we don't know for sure. Maybe he was eating well, maybe he was not. Maybe he was recovering from an illness, a UTI, a slight stroke could have occurred. His heart could have been giving him trouble....the list goes on. Suffice it to say I saw the captain with a severely diminished mental status. The story for me was about that very real issue. The single handed ocean racers describe the ups and downs of being isolated, sleep deprived, sea sick, and mentally drained. They talk of the hallucinations both visual and auditory. They describe depression, poor concentration, irritability, reduced dexterity... They talk of breaking down mentally. I am not convinced the lead character was a professional sailor, or even all that seasoned. He looked like a guy giving it a go, and like many of us barely making it. I have spent weeks alone on my boat, and certainly not in the most challenging of conditions. I have never hallucinated or been paralyzed from depression. But I have had my mental status impaired by lack of sleep, poor eating, dehydration, and over heating, and being cold. I have been in situations where I made great decisions, and situations where I failed miserably. I have grounded the boat more times than I care to admit due to fatigue, broken hardware due to misuse, lost items over the side, suffered lacerations, been sick, and missed my family to the point I wondered if continuing on was worth the effort. Fortunately, I was able see I was having troubles, gathered myself as best I could, and be ok. But at any point it all could have all gone bad. When I watched this movie it left me with the sense, "There but for the grace of God, go I."

Be careful out there...

[H2operator]

Matt, We'll said! I can totally relate regarding the lack of sleep among other factors. I even experienced audio hallucinations on a delivery once where I thought I heard a submarine pinging through the hull! I considered some of your points before I commented and to a non sailing audience the inaccuracies and illogical behaviors wouldn't be as much of an issue. The technical details are secondary to most people but definitely not to me!
Lance