Cast Away (2000)

Tom is brilliant as FedEx systems analyst Chuck, who’s stranded on an island for four years after his plane crashes. His only company? A volleyball nicknamed Wilson (named after its brand name).

It’s rough and raw – Tom says he almost lost his mind filming on the island because it was so desolate, and his character Chuck really was losing his mind trying to survive. Tom learnt the survival skills his character uses, like hunting for fish and building shelter – you name it, Tom can do it. He also really lost weight and production shut down while Tom went from average to skinny.

Forget the rest of the cast (Helen Hunt and Chris Noth) – they’re not needed.

Cast Away is an eye-opening look at what it’s like to lose everything and what that does to your psyche. Iconic reviewer Roger Ebert wrote, “Hanks proves again what an effective actor he is, never straining for an effect, always persuasive, winning our sympathy with his eyes and his body language when there’s no one else on the screen.”