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Movie Report
Cast Away

Chuck Nolan is a troubleshooter for Federal Express, and the film begins with him showing their Moscow (Russia) staff how FedEx does business. After returning to Memphis (FedEx home base) and visiting his girlfriend he is again called away to an Asian destination. He is able to ride in the "jump seats" of a FedEx jumbo jet crossing the Pacific Ocean, and is the only passenger.

During a fierce storm, the plane is blown off-course and ultimately crashes into the ocean. Noland is the only survivor, and is washed ashore on a small island. The bulk of the film deals with his many travails, from gathering food and water to the mental challenges of living alone for years. His primary goal is to build a raft strong enough to cross the coral reef surrounding the island, but local materials are insufficient. He scavenges what he can from FedEx packages that wash ashore from the plane and tries to remain mentally stable. He even made a volleyball his friend and named it “Wilson”.
He made Wilson his best friend and told him everything that he feels. After four years of isolation, a large piece of plastic debris -- strong enough to act as a sail -- washes ashore. Noland is able to build a raft made of palm trees, video tape (acting as rope to hold it together), and other materials and with the help of his new sail, escapes the island. He is eventually rescued by a passing ship.

Returning home, he finds that his fiancee has married, and he has to begin his life anew. Out of all the FedEx packages that washed ashore from the downed jet, he kept one unopened and intact. This last package he delivers at the end of the film, though we never find out what it contains.