#REVIEW: “ADRIFT”

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Adrift tells the true story of a 24-year-old Tami Oldham (Shailene Woodley) who left her life behind in San Diego, California to travel the world. When Oldman arrives in Tahiti she meets a British sailor, Richard Sharp (Sam Claflin). The two begin to fall in love and when an opportunity arises to make $10,000 to sail a boat from Tahiti to San Diego the two set sail. What they don’t know is that their journey is going to send them right into one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recorded history. After being hit by the storm, Tami wakes up to find a severely-injured Richard and finds the incredible strength to set sail herself to save them both.

Adrift is a beautiful story of determination, strength, resilience and love. Writers Aaron Kandell, Jordan Kandell and David Branson Smith do a great job of bringing Tami’s incredible story to the screen. The powerful Script is made even more compelling through the Direction of Baltasar Kormakur. Kormakur enthrals audiences into Tami’s story by flipping back and forth in time. This creates added suspense and isolation while Tami and Richard are adrift. Yet all of the emotions the audience experiences wouldn’t be there if not for the perfect Cast.

Shailene Woodley does a tremendous job portraying Tami. There is always something about Woodley that captivates audiences but there is something about her portrayal of Tami that leaves chills. She whole-heartedly dives into this role and displays every human emotion there is. Sam Claflin also does an amazing job as Richard. There is something about is subtle performance that will stay with audiences long after the Film has finished. When Woodley and Claflin are together they are magnetic. Their chemistry is the reason audiences fall in love with Tami and Richard and it’s also why audiences will be shattered by the end.

Overall, Adrift tells the incredible story of the inspiring Tami Oldham and gives one of Woodley’s finest performances to date.

VVS Films release ADRIFT Friday, June 1, 2018.