Island (2011)

Based on 'Jane Rogers' acclaimed novel, "Island" is a tale of yearning and retribution. Abandoned at birth, Nikki Black has spent most of her life in care sustained only by fairy-stories. ... See full summary »

Directors:

Elizabeth Mitchell, Brek Taylor

Writers:

Jane Rogers (novel), Elizabeth Mitchell (screenplay)

Stars:

Natalie Press, Colin Morgan, Janet McTeer

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Natalie Press
Colin Morgan	...	Calum
Janet McTeer	...	Phyllis
Tanya Franks	...	Ruby
Denise Orita	...	Sally
Kate Stevens	...	Emma Lacey
Alex Donald	...	Gerry the Barman
Nikki Tangen	...	Young Nikki
Charlotte Wontner	...	Foster Mother
Will Paice	...	Foster Father
Duncan Duff	...	Social Worker
Lauren Fagg	...	Teenage Nikki
Kat Osi-Mensah	...	Schoolgirl
Roisin Mullally	...	Schoolgirl
Eva Conn	...	Schoolgirl

Storyline

Based on 'Jane Rogers' acclaimed novel, "Island" is a tale of yearning and retribution. Abandoned at birth, Nikki Black has spent most of her life in care sustained only by fairy-stories. Incapable of love, fearful and desperate for revenge, she decides to find her birth mother, confront her, and bitter enough to consider murder. She travels incognito to a remote Hebridean island where Phyllis now lives as a recluse with Calum, her son.

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 April 2011 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Sea Change

Filming Locations:

Mull, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Finite Films, Hopscotch Films, Tailor-Made Films

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Avenue of Hope"
by I Am Kloot
End Credits

User Reviews

Not at all mainstream :)

Raw, awkward, unglamorous, dark, sensitive, atmospheric, poetic, sublimely emotional - I'm sure there's many who will dislike this film, I loved it.

Pay attention from the very start, and settle into 90 minutes of absorbing visuals and sounds as this story weaves its path between fairy tale, innocence and stark interactions.

The three main actors put in great performances, their characters are real people - no generic playing themselves in costume here. Calum is the Island incarnate with his beachcomber treasures and tales, an intimate connection with his environment although in a bubble from the rest of the world. His mother Phyllis is crone like, tired, troubled and protective both of her son and of what she holds inside. Niki is on a mission she describes at the beginning. Her internal discomfort is evident from when she first appears, then lands on the Island to pursue her destiny, a driven catalyst to break the stony status quo.

The scenery is stunning and the sets perfect, the filming capturing everything really well. There is the one scene near the end with boat and water that I thought was erm... rough! The scene at the end worked so well, despite it being challenging, it felt so right. Difficult to say more without spoiling! Its not bubblegum - enjoy!