Great Characters: Wilson (“Cast Away”)
Today’s Great Character proves a character doesn’t have to be human or even animate to work as a compelling narrative element. Consider Wilson from the 2001 movie Cast Away (written by William Broyles, Jr).
When Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks) is stranded on a remote desert island, his need for companionship finds a point of focus in a volleyball that washes ashore. Marked by Chuck’s bloody handprint, his ‘face’ serves as Wilson’s singular expression (the ball named for the brand of volleyball). But Chuck shares a full range of feelings with this inanimate object turned friend.
Here is a selection of dialogue by Chuck directed toward Wilson:
You wouldn’t have a match by any chance would you?
Hey, you want to hear something funny? My dentist’s name is James Spalding.
We might just make it. Did that thought ever cross your brain? Well regardless I would rather take my chance out there on the ocean, that to stay here and die on this shithole island spending the rest of my life talking to a god damn VOLLEYBALL.
Don’t worry Wilson, I’ll do all the paddling. You just hang on.
From a writing perspective, the story demands some object toward which Chuck can talk. The only other option is for him to speak aloud to himself, but over time this would become quite awkward and forced. But more than that, by providing Chuck a buddy — and importantly one with a name to give Wilson more of a presence — over time the pair could develop a genuine relationship, which they do. So much so that when Chuck builds a raft and attempts to escape the island, it’s apparent how much the man feels for Wilson when this happens:
A man reduced to paroxysms of tears when he loses his only companion of four years, a poignant sign how an inanimate object can become a vibrant character in a story.
Can you think of any other notable inanimate characters in movies?