Director: Baltasar Kormakur
Writer: Aaron Kandell, Jordan Kandell and David Branson Smith
Starring: Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin
‘Spectacular Survival Drama’
Imagine being stranded on a boat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. After witnessing the greatest hurricane known to mankind, you have been put in a dire situation. With no resources, food or land in nearby sight, you must find a way to survive. To make matters worse, you brought along a loved one for the journey. Not only is your life in danger, but so is the person you love the most. How would you react in this life-threatening situation? Would you immediately lose hope or find the will to survive?
Baltasar Kormakur’s latest film “Adrift” is a tense survival drama that centers on this terrifying premise. A riveting true story, it focuses on a couple that gets caught in a hurricane and must survive. It is not easy to bring a true story to the big-screen, but director Baltasar Kormakur has done a remarkable job. With gorgeous cinematography and brilliant performances, he has managed to capture the sheer terror of being stranded on sea. Yet, while the film works as a survival drama, it falls short as a love story. The love story is slightly rushed and brings the film to a halt. That being said, it is an inspiring true story that deserves to be seen.
Based on the book by Tami Oldman Ashcraft, “Adrift” tells a harrowing story of survival. Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin star as Tami and Richard, a pair of lovers who embark on a journey across the Pacific Ocean. However, when an unexpected hurricane strikes their lives are put in grave danger. With Richard left badly injured, Tami must find the strength to survive and steer the way home against all odds.
It is a gripping survival story that is expertly crafted by director Baltasar Kormakur. Ever since he burst onto the scene with 2012’s “The Deep”, Kormakur has proven to be an expert at making films about survival. His films are always gorgeously shot and focus on ordinary people that must overcome obstacles to survive. And this is certainly the case with his latest film “Adrift”. The film showcases Kormakur’s skill for crafting a tense survival story. With the help of a talented cast and top-notch technical department, he manages to do justice to a true story. Although the film marks familiar territory for the Icelandic director, it showcases his skill for staging thrilling survival sequences.
Perhaps, the most impressive aspect of “Adrift” is its survival sequences. Although grueling to watch, these sequences are extremely well-done and keep the viewer invested in the story. The film is beautifully shot using breathtaking cinematography. From intimate close-ups to stunning establishing shots, the cinematography by Oscar-winner Robert Richardson captures the sheer isolation of being stranded on sea. Over the years, survival scenes have been done plenty of times in films. However, rarely have they been this frightening or realistic. The film creates visually immersive survival scenes that draw you in as a viewer. As a viewer, you truly feel as if you are there with the characters and experience the terror of being stranded on sea.
The brilliant performances from the cast keep you invested in the lives of these characters and their survival story. Films about survival often pose challenges for actors and push them to their limits. However, in this case the two leads are fully committed to their roles and up to the challenge of carrying the film.
Shailene Woodley delivers her finest performance to date as Tami. It’s a physically demanding role that requires the utmost commitment, but the actress manages to do it full justice. With haunting expressions, she conveys the fear, desperation and resilience of a woman determined to survive. Woodley commands every scene she is in and when she is stranded on sea for long stretches of the film, she does it all on her own. It’s a remarkable performance from one of the finest young actresses working today.
Sam Claflin is convincing in the role of Richard. Although he arguably isn’t given much to do, Claflin makes the most out of his role. With charming expressions, he manages to convey Richard’s passion for sailing and affection towards Tami. It’s a typical role for a romantic leading man, but Claflin proves to be perfectly cast. He shares wonderful chemistry with his co-star, which makes his performance all the more affecting.
Although these actors share undeniable chemistry together, their love story does not entirely ring true. To be fair, though, it isn’t the fault of the actors. Instead, the main issue with “Adrift” is its structure. The film cuts back and forth between the survival scenes in present-day and love story in the past. However, it is a choppy structure that doesn’t quite work. I was riveted by the survival scenes but found the love story to be lackluster. The romantic scenes are slightly rushed and lack a strong emotional pull. As a result, this is the point where the film starts to drag and lose the viewer’s attention.
Despite its flaws, “Adrift” is a powerful film that is worth seeing for its uplifting message. It is a worthy reminder that the most inspiring heroes aren’t always the ones wearing capes and saving the world.
Sometimes, the greatest heroes are simply ordinary people adrift on oceans far from home with a strong drive to survive.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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