One of the great challenges for any actor is commanding the screen alone; think Tom Hanks in "Castaway" or James Franco in "127 Hours." Matt Damon flexed his muscles in "The Martian" and showed us another side of his acting abilities. While all three films are different, they each required something similar from their leading man; an ability to make the environment a character. What makes Matt Damon’s role different is none of us can relate. We’ve never been stuck on a deserted and uninhabitable planet. Mr. Damon had to convey a sense of loneliness, intelligence, desperation, defeat, loss, bravery, and triumph. In regular fashion, he accomplished all of that and much more. He put us in his shoes and made us feel something for a situation none of us will ever find ourselves.
Be good to each other,
-Nathan