The year 2000 was destined to be interesting. Not only was it a leap year, but it was also the start of a new decade, the start of the 21st century and the start of a new millennium. Around the world, computers survived the year 2000, Hillary Clinton was elected to the Senate, and Microsoft was found guilty of violating antitrust laws. This was also the year that 20th Century Fox released Cast Away to American moviegoers. Opening just days before Christmas, box offices across the country raked in over $28,000,000 in the first weekend. The film became the third highest-grossing film of the year. FedEx even parodied the film for a Super Bowl commercial. This is what inspired the hit TV series Lost (Wikipedia). The success of the film was a mark of distinction for the director, cast and crew. The film is about Chuck Noland, a man caught up in the fraught details of his career and life. He's apparently addicted to time management and even has to make time for his girlfriend, Kelly. After surviving a plane crash over the Pacific Ocean, Chuck finds himself marooned on a small desert island with little chance of rescue. He spends the next four years on the island trying to survive physically and emotionally. According to comments from the film's director, Robert Zemeckis admits that the story was Tom Hanks' idea. Hanks hired writer William Broyles Jr. and they worked on the script together. About five years later, the film went into production (Cast Away). Since he was part of the film's initial development, the main character, Chuck Noland, was written with Hanks in mind. Indeed, after seeing her sincere and confident performance, it's hard to imagine anyone else playing this role. Middle of paper... the initial of Chuck's first name added to his last name reads "C Noland" or "see no land". Chuck's car license plate, "KAZ 2AY", is equally humorous (IMBD). Overall, the film serves as a reminder that many of the hackneyed old clichés we take for granted are more than just meaningless phrases. They are the gold of the experience left by the generations of those who preceded us. Lessons not to be forgotten. Cast Away warns us not to take anyone for granted, to stop sweating the small things, and to live each day like it's your last. We are shown that no man is an island; we are meant to share life, love and be loved. Chuck's message of hope is perhaps the most important lesson of all: "And I know what I must do now." I have to keep breathing. Because tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide might bring” (Cast Away).