Movie Review: Adrift

Early this week, I was able to see a pre-screening of the Adrift film directed by Baltasar Kormákur. Let me first set the stage for you. Adrift is based on the true story of two sailors who set out on a journey across the ocean. Tami Oldham (Woodley) and Richard Sharp (Claflin) couldn’t anticipate they would be sailing directly into one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recorded history. In the aftermath of the storm, Tami awakens to find Richard badly injured and their boat in ruins. With no hope for rescue, Tami must find the strength and determination to save herself and the only man she has ever loved. 

I just love true story type of movies. Will they survive? Will one of them die? How does one survive 41 days in the open ocean with no help? Yes, I repeat force to survive for 41 days aboard a damaged ship, navigating manually and surviving on rationed peanut butter, until making it to Hawaii, 1,500 miles away. TBH, I don’t think I could of survive that long. The number of hallucinations that happen in just a few days alone with little to no human contact, beaten up from the storm, no food, and on top of that what if you were a Vegan?! I will say this movie does have a few cheesy parts (the falling in love part), but once the storm hits, you get caught up in the suspense on how will they survive. You start questioning what would you do in that situation, can you navigate through the ocean the nearest land.

Without giving too much away, besides the cheesy parts, I also didn't like that the film's chronological back-and-forth because it diffuses the suspense part. Felt like it "drifted" at times. Pun, intended.  I give it a 2.75 out of 5 stars. If you see this film, let me know what you think.

-xo Mel