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15 out of 18 people found the following comment useful :-
Roeg's most accessible and Reed's career best., 16 April 2000
10/10
Author: Craig Hughes (foxhughes@yahoo.co.uk) from Glasgow, Scotland

Based on Lucy Irvine's memoir, Nicolas Roeg here presents us with a surprising conventionally-told work, beautifully shot and perfectly paced. It works for a variety of reasons, not least the subject matter - eccentric, charming middle-aged Englishman advertises for a female companion to be 'shipwrecked' with him. A gorgeous, intelligent young woman takes him up on his offer but, once on the island, makes it clear that this is a 'hands off' deal.

From here on in this is an engrossing character study of both the young woman - Irvine - impressively played by Donohe in her leading debut, and the man ... a brilliant, brutally honest turn from Oliver Reed. Reed gave many fine performances throughout his career, both comic and dramatic, but none as complete as this. Hailed as a great comeback at the time, it probably would have been if not for the fact that Reed himself didn't seem to really want to come back!

All in all, this is easily the most digestible of Roeg's films, made downright special by that Oliver Reed performance.

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12 out of 13 people found the following comment useful :-
Castaway is based on the novel by Lucy Irvine, 29 February 2000
Author: boogieknights19 (boogieknights19@hotmail.com) from New Mexico

Castaway is based on the novel by Lucy Irvine about a young woman answering an ad in the paper placed by a man seeking a wife, to live with him on an island. Oliver Reed is perfectly cast as the gruff, thickly bearded 50yrs+ man who places the ad. And for once in a brilliant casting decision, an actress was chosen who shares much chemistry with him onscreen! Amanda Donohue is the much younger blonde and an aura of sensuality about her chosen to play his reluctant love interest in the film, Lucy. His young bride is only interested in learning island life, and the frustrated Gerald broods and seethes as young Lucy parades either naked, or wearing the tiniest of loin cloths. She is ever the tease and as she becomes more accustomed to island life, Gerald silently broods in his own lust. She has no interest in this man old enough to be her father, other than basic companionship. Gerald has other ideas. The movie is full of powerful scenes of the struggle of the sexes, and beautifully shot on a gorgeous island. Gerald and Lucy heat up the screen, and it is the contrast in their ages, and physical make-up that only add to the film. The story deals with their trials and tribulations, and contains many interesting twists. It builds up to a fantastic climax that shows the viewer the fate of both characters. Very powerful film, and beautifully cast, Castaway is highly recommended. More films of this nature should be made.

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9 out of 11 people found the following comment useful :-
Nicolas Roeg's twisted island love story, 21 January 2005
7/10
Author: didi-5 from United Kingdom

This film by Nicolas Roeg builds on the unusual titles of his past career (Don't Look Now; Walkabout; Performance) and adapts Lucy Irvine's book of her real-life experiences as a Girl Friday on a desert island.

Amanda Donohoe reaches career-grabbing perfection as Irvine, the girl who answers an ad from lonely middle-aged businessman Gerald (a multi-faceted role for Oliver Reed) and goes to live with him in the tropical sun for a year. Roeg's film requires Donohoe to appear nude or semi-nude much of the time but it doesn't seem gratuitous. Not surprisingly it helped her gain other roles in the remainder of the decade as a ballsy, sexy siren.

As a two-hander for most of its running time, 'Castaway' depends on the performances of its two leads - they have to be convincing, they have to be compelling, and they have to have chemistry. It isn't a match made in heaven - but as Gerald and Lucy learn to live with each other despite the obvious problems, the viewer is drawn in with them.

Oliver Reed is excellent as Gerald, a complex character who goes from bluster and rage to sweetness and sensitivity. It was something of a comeback role as the first part of the 1980s hadn't given him roles of any great depth to work with (neither did many films after this one), and he does well within the confines of Lucy Irvine's reminiscences.

I particularly like the ending. Fact or fantasy? But it rounds off this atmospheric film beautifully.

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12 out of 17 people found the following comment useful :-
Interesting imagery, fairly believable, 3 August 2001
Author: Moondrop_C from GA, USA

Two people who barely know each other, spend a year on an island together. They suffer malnutrition, stormy weather, and just plain I'm-sick-of-you-itis. I managed to catch this movie a while back on cable. I love watching movies from England, Australia or New Zealand because they're so different from what I'm used to. This movie didn't disappoint there. There was only one thing missing from this movie to make it totally realistic. Amanda Donohoe played a young, presumably fertile woman on an island for 12 months and never so much as had PMS, if you catch my drift. Forgive me, but as a woman, this is something I think of *whenever* I think about being stranded *anywhere* for months at a time. All in all, though, a very entertaining movie.

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5 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :-
Back to Nature with Oli, 2 September 2003
6/10
Author: Tob147258 from Manchester

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

SPOILERS

So this is the film which was fronted as the late, great Oli Reed's comeback. With Amanda Donohoe, Oli stars in a wonderful film about an Odd Couple who for certain reasons decide to live together on a desert island.

Oli is superb as the 45 year old man who just wants to be alone on his dream island with the gorgeous Amanda Donohoe, and she's also superb as the girl who's forced to live with the volatile Oli Reed.

The difference in viewpoint between the two central characters is stunning, and drives the film along well as whilst Oli is blatantly interested in both her, enjoying himself and fulfilling a few desires, she's keen on being much more active and building things. The comparison of the two continues as the film progresses until eventually a boat containing two men appear. Truth be told, it is the appearance of these two men (Jason & Rod) which leads to the film going slightly downhill for the customary dip which most films experience. The psychology of Donahoe as she blatantly gets upset at a missed opportunity to sleep with one of the men is slightly infuriating for the audience as well as the characters, and it's clever to see how the two characters behave differently amongst visitors and this is actually quite an interesting portrayal of how we change amongst guests compared with in close company.

Eventually, the two almost die of malnutrition, and yet once again some random strangers turn up, this time in the face of nuns. It becomes blatantly obvious this time however that Donahoe does actually quite like Oli at times, when he's not being aggressive and violent, or excessively lazy. It is the upgrade in living enviroments and food provided by the nuns and their friends, that allows the two to regain their health and the film perks up now as the end of their year approaches.

Eventually the film runs through to it's climax, via a few memorable moments, and the film is completed, as, looking back, it seemed destined to throughout.

It's hard to sum up this film really. After a slightly weak review as the one I've just written, most people will probably have stopped reading by now. I guess, it's probably just worth saying that whilst films on desert beaches are by no means in short supply, this one is more enjoyable than most other efforts and is head and shoulders above both Tom Hank's most recent effort and the Beach with Leo Di Caprio. Enjoy one of Oli Reed's finest roles and find yourself inspired to escape society to a beach of your own.

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3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
hoo lalalalalalla!, 21 March 2007
7/10
Author: mmunier from Australia

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

If you imagine yourself on your own, switching on your TV to accompany a frugal lunch and there on that screen you'd see a gorgeous young woman wearing her birthday suit in the most natural pose, for you to see all; would you call this a spoiler? And this in some way was only the "hors d'oeuvre"! I nearly bit my finger as I did not want to miss one frame! Well being on a commercial station it was not as bad a this so I did not go hungry either and for once appreciated those otherwise very annoying ads. I was only aware of one "castaway", recently with Tom Hank. I can tell you I did enjoy this one much more, I might have to give a go to the early one too, although if I understood rightly it's again a very different story. Beyond that thrill I also enjoyed the development of the characters through the story. I have seen the late Oliver Reed in a couple of other movie. And I expected from him a strong performance, well that how I know Oliver Reed, Bill Sykes! I sent my dice rolling on the table and it produced a 7 for my rating how about that. MM

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1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
for the free-spirited & those who like islands of deserted beauty, 29 December 2007
9/10
Author: spj-4 from Australia

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing this movie again!

It has a beautiful sea-side setting, that has been explored from "Robinson Crusoe" to "The Black Stallion" to "Summerfield". That's apart from reading "Coral Island" & "Lord of the Flies" as a school-boy & such as TV-series as diverse as "The Count of Monte Christo" to "Gillian's Island". Since I enjoyed all of these, I fell into the familiar surrounds with abandon!

Supposedly, it's based on a true story, but I would think some of what's presented is unlikely, like the willingness of the beautiful young woman to embark on such a reckless voyage of discovery, & having been caused to enter into a contract involving marriage in the process. These are merely introductions into the nature of the potential partners evolving, but they attempt to serve each other & at times, seem quite close.

But they are in an Adam 'n' Eve-type scenario of ambivalence. So the hostilities between them do not take long to surface! And they dare to reflect remarkable similarities to the difficulties & modern complexities we are all part of, in our respective worlds, as islands, within islands, of government religion & media domains, almost always beyond our control, operate.

So we have a movie here, a little over 20 years old as I write this, which invites the viewer to see a microcosm of the world that surrounds us everyday as we live & watch TV & visit the cinema! A bit ahead of its time, I would suggest!

So, in the process of preparing this, I have upgraded my rating of it from 8 to 9 out of 10. Relationships are complex & its ending is rather sudden, but I felt I'd been on a good journey overall in watching this & didn't regret having re-visited this idyllic wilderness of natural beauty! Easy on the eye & yet not failing to note the turbulence all around!

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2 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
Not a bad film, 13 December 2005
6/10
Author: cspaced1

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

This true life story tells of Lucy Irvine (Amanda Donohoe).

Who answered a personal ad in Time Out to live on a desert island with an eccentric middle-aged divorcée (Oliver Reed).

This visually splendid adaptation is a shocking and visceral experience, as the relationship has to struggle against the elements and the characters basic incompatibility.

British Director Nicholas Roeg handles this strange but true story brilliantly.

Nicholas Roeg has directed:-

Don't Look Down Now, Walkabout, and The Man Who Fell to Earth.

Based on the book of the same name by Lucy Irvine.

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2 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
Plot is a great idea, erotic, entertaining., 19 October 1998
9/10
Author: John Eaves (jmeaves@austin360.com) from Austin, Texas

I saw the movie in 1987 and me thinks the plot is not such a bad idea! Fantastic scenery, erotic, entertaining. Would love to get a copy of it on video but no luck. See it if you can.

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3 out of 5 people found the following comment useful :-
Underrated Roeg film, 2 August 2000
7/10
Author: John Seal from Oakland CA

After Walkabout this is Nic Roeg's most beautiful film. Stunning photography by Harvey Harrison complements the story of two loners who set out to live on a deserted Pacific island for a whole year. Oliver Reed and Amanda Donohoe are both excellent as the two frustrated Britons who don't exactly enjoy their year together.

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