Adrift Review 2018

Adrift

  Adrift is the true story of a young couple stranded in the middle of the ocean for 41 days. It's a powerful story, but I have mixed feelings about its execution.
  What I did love about the film was Shailene Woodley. Her performance was so beautiful and captivating, and she really brought it as she always does. Woodley is one of those actresses that demands your sympathy and demands to be liked. She carried this film on her shoulders, giving us someone to root for in a world of pretty non-interesting characters.That said, it doesn't change the fact that we are in a world of non-interesting characters. Especially when the story continually cuts back and forth from the present tragedy of being lost at sea (which is interesting), and the boring romantic relationship we are supposed to care about. This isn't to say that Claflin and Woodley don't have chemistry, but it is to say that director Baltasar Kormakur tries so hard to make the audience care, that it feels contrived and strategically plotted out.
  Adrift is solid, but it's not nearly as memorable as other films like Life of Pi or Castaway. 6 out of 10 stars (Worth Ticket Price)