It’s ultimately about Ottway’s will to live. The opening voice-over shows him wanting to kill himself for something we don’t know all the details about. After the crash, he’s the one who knows how to survive in the deadly wilderness. And in the end, he has to decide how he will die. (P.S. there’s a scene after the credits and I hate hate hate it so much.)

Anyhow, the physical representations of nature are the wolves, who hunt down the men with ruthless efficacy. The horrible situations bering out the man v. man, with various characters representing Greed, Fear, Insecurity, and even Hope. We see the dwindling survivors fighting to remain human in the face of bestial conditions.

At the beginning of the film, Ottway wants to die. By the end of the film, he’s experienced so much death that he could justifiably lay down in the snow. But that makes for a French classic, and this is America. We want Big Damn Heroes, and Ottway does not disappoint.

IMO, the Antag/BBT is just another way to Make It Happen. “The Grey” is about Ottway’s life: keep it or toss it? “Perfect Storm” is about business: go for broke or go broke? The Antag serves as a device to prevent the desirable ending from occurring. Conflict, hence Plot.

As always, thanks.
Karen

My favorite film of Man VS. Nature was the film “White Squall” with Jeff Bridges. Only this time it was Jeff Bridges who was the BBT (Man VS. Man) instead of George Clooney. Bit my fingernails off with this one. But then, do we really want to compare Jeff to George? Jeff has my vote! 🙂