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On the surface this is a story about a castaway. Underlying it, however, is a lesson in Philosophy 101.

`Castaway`

Director Robert Zemeciks gives his viewers a mini- lesson on the meaning of life including the need to prioritize the `important` things in life like love and family.

FedEx executive Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks) is a busy, busy man. He`s so immersed in his work, he has to find time in his organizer for a date with his girlfriend Kelly (Helen Hunt). One day his plane crashes and he washes up on a remote South Sea island. For four years, a man who has lived by the clock all his life has nothing but time on his hands. For company, he has a volleyball he personifies as Wilson. After four years of lonely survival, Noland decides to make a run for it aboard a makeshift raft. What happens to him and the people he knew forms the rest of this film.

Tom Hanks puts in a brilliant performance as the central protagonist. His physical transformation from beefcake to bantamweight is incredible. Fellow Oscar winner, Helen Hunt shines in her role as Hanks`s love interest. The other supporting characters flit on the periphery, but this does not lessen the film, which is more or less about Hanks only.

Zemeciks steers clear of melodrama to create an intelligent, well crafted, technically superb film. A worthy follow up to his earlier venture, `What Lies Beneath`.

Rating: The movie both entertains and makes you think about the things that really matter in life. Excellent acting by two former Oscar winners merely adds to the enjoyable experience of watching a top quality film.