2006-10-08

What are you going to do when you are completely away from the so-called
civilization, no other people, even no animals, no water, no fire, no electricity,
no computer, no internet…? This is what Tom Hanks is facing in Cast Away.

Survival is the first problem. Human being is smart and has all kinds of skills.
Even though it is extremely difficult, he manages to survive. During his days on
that island, the most serious problem is that he is lonely. Tom’s only friend
is a basket ball, with his blood (face shape) on. He calls it Wilson. He talks
with Wilson. He argues with Wilson. He even fights with Wilson. He says sorry
to Wilson after every fight. Wilson is the only outlet of Tom’s emotion.

However, what is the purpose of survival or what is the meaning of living in that
kind of situation? In the short run, of course, it would be, at least, the hope
of being rescued. What if you are still not rescued after a couple of years?
Will you have the courage to live your life in that totally isolated world all
by yourself? According to Tom, it is the desire to see his girlfriend again that
supports him to live day after day. When finally he is rescued, however, he finds
that his girlfriend is already somebody else’s wife. Nobody should be blamed of
course because everybody thought that Tom was dead. I understand that emptiness
after something that you have relied on so much suddenly is gone. That is why
Tom feels so lost at the crossroad, of his life. What is the purpose of living?
What is the meaning of life? The film does not give the answer. Nobody can give
an answer, right? We have to live our life to figure it out.