Critical response
Who is the star of the movie "All Is Lost"?
All Is Lost
"All Is Lost" has received critical acclaim. Film review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 93% of critics gave the film a positive review based on 194 reviews, with an average score of 7.9/10. The site's consensus states: "Anchored by another tremendous performance in a career full of them, "All Is Lost" offers a moving, eminently worthwhile testament to Robert Redford's ability to hold the screen." On Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 based on reviews from critics, the film has a score of 87 based on 45 reviews, considered to be "universal acclaim". After the screening of the film at the Cannes Film Festival, Redford received a standing ovation. Writing for "The Independent", Geoffrey Macnab said the film was "utterly compelling viewing". Andrew Pulver, writing for "The Guardian", said that "Redford delivers a tour de force performance: holding the screen effortlessly with no acting support whatsoever." Justin Chang of "Variety" said of Redford's performance that he "holds the viewer’s attention merely by wincing, scowling, troubleshooting and yelling the occasional expletive". Robbie Collin of "The Telegraph" said, "The film's scope is limited, but as far as it goes, "All Is Lost" is very good indeed: a neat idea, very nimbly executed. "Peter Bradshaw writing also for The Guardian says the "near-mute performance as a mysterious old man of the sea" to be "a bold, gripping thriller." Being an ambiguous and challenging metaphor, he concludes: “What a strikingly bold and thoughtful film.”Alan Scherstuhl of "The Village Voice" writes that the film is "a genuine nail-biter, scrupulously made and fully involving, elemental in its simplicity." David Morgan of CBS News gave the film a positive review, stating, "Four decades ago Redford demonstrated a similar capacity for survival skills as the mountain man Jeremiah Johnson. Today, at age 77, without a supporting cast and performing virtually all of his water stunts himself, Redford proves he is still up to the task, shining in what is an extremely physical but also an intellectually demanding role. "Steve Pulaski of "Influx Magazine" gave the film an A-, commenting, ""All is Lost" is a strong film in terms of mood and score. I have no idea what audiences will think of it. Some will hail it[...]and others will loathe it for not getting more to the bottom of things and leaving each scene with some element of ambiguity."