Although it looks like this movie will be an on-the-seas survival story (based on true events), it’s actually more a romance. Shailene Woodley is travelling the world one odd job at a time, when she meets a charming man with his own boat (Sam Claflin). They set out from Tahiti to San Diego, but run into a hurricane that leaves them injured and stranded. The filmmakers decided to tell this story in a constant back and forth between the events leading up to the catastrophe and the aftermath. This interesting approach makes any kind of momentum difficult, whether it’s the destructive power of the storm or the strong bond of their love. Even though the endurance challenge has its moments and the romance is sufficiently sweet, the combination waters down the effect of both.
(3 / 5)