no dialogue, emotional ties or dramatic set-up. just a man and his will to survive -- a will that is methodically dissolved with every scene. Redford's matured composure was vital (I would've just passed out from shock after the first 20 minutes), as it shows how much it takes to finally break him.

a running time closer to Cuarón's cousin in outer space would've been welcomed, but I did appreciate some of the details thrown in (Redford shaving...clinging to routineness, or human vanity no matter what the odds?). and the ending changes *a lot* about the movie depending on how you take it. for me, it was accepting the inevitable and the freedom that comes with that choice.