Not sure how all the high ratings came about. I gave up on the movie about halfway in. Tedious and boring with the lead character seemingly only capable of speaking in a monotone. The number of scenes where he droned on about not getting enough out of life and talking about leaving the island had me wishing he would just pack his bag and leave the damn island - he wasn't the only one who needed a change of scenery by then. The interaction between him and his father seemed contrived, with first one having an elongated solo outburst or monologue and then the other. Even the fisherman's home somehow didn't quite suit. It was more like the dwelling of a suburban city office couple. I also doubted whether a knife dug out of the sand and lapped by the tide would still have so much obvious blood remaining on the blade after several days. Gave it 2 stars for the scenery shots.
8 Reviews
Just dreadful
richardjshaw16 June 2023
Where to start ...
The film attempts to be "mysterious" with some kind of time skip theme. But it doesn't work.
The story goes nowhere and leaves you just not caring. Acting is wooden, script is mundane.
Other reviews here are clearly either from the cast/crew or have been paid. Let's look at them:
The only comment from other reviews I can agree with is "It's not like any other film". That is true. Other films are entertaining.
The story goes nowhere and leaves you just not caring. Acting is wooden, script is mundane.
Other reviews here are clearly either from the cast/crew or have been paid. Let's look at them:
- "psychological thriller". Not even close to a thriller.
- "twists and turns throughout". Actually quite predictable.
- "What a journey the whole film is". A long and tedious journey.
The only comment from other reviews I can agree with is "It's not like any other film". That is true. Other films are entertaining.
Guernsey scenery is superb
tavistockholdings4 December 2023
Guernsey was the location for all of the filming for this atmospheric thriller and the camera captures it beautifully. There are so many shots of the island, both by itself and as a backdrop to the actors, that the island itself becomes a character in the film as was, no doubt, intended as part of the narrative.
The storytellers have given this film an easy and gentle pace which allows the viewer to appreciate the scenes fully as they unfold against the beautiful landscape which is then enhanced by the use of black and white during some of the scenes to contrast with the full colour of other shots.
The storytellers have given this film an easy and gentle pace which allows the viewer to appreciate the scenes fully as they unfold against the beautiful landscape which is then enhanced by the use of black and white during some of the scenes to contrast with the full colour of other shots.
Ashplant and McArthur, names to remember
Britishcollateral20 June 2023
This is a great story that on a bigger budget could have shone on the largest of stages. But when reviewing a film I don't deduct points. This is big. The story is compelling and intriguing. So relatable yet so unique. The performances of the key cast is what sticks with you. It is refreshing to see believable performances that don't feel pressured towards melodrama. I believed every word and I disagree that there is any wooden feel. Perhaps it's a cultural thing? But I believed every word and every expression. There are some bigger names in this, including mcinnerny. And Keeper should be noted for arguably her greatest performance to date. It is cameron ashplant and Murray mcarthur who stick in my mind though. I've watched it twice now and each time the nuances that shine through are impressive. I look forward to following their work. No film is perfect but the acting, writing and music are all fantastic. There's some unusual creative decisions in how it is shot and presented on screen but who am I to comment on that, it does the job all the same. Pioneering work always trials and tests, and this does that.
Definitely give it a watch, there's nothing else like it and it leaves an imprint on you, like film should do.
Definitely give it a watch, there's nothing else like it and it leaves an imprint on you, like film should do.
A great indie film!
david-5949416 June 2023
Firstly, I have to agree with Ben B Hunter's review on the acting - it is tremendously realistic, with both Murray McArthur and Cameron Ashplant digging deep to give gut-wrenching performances that will leave you absolutely broken. Their back and forth ferocious arguing is entirely believable. It feels as though the cinematographer has been provided with an invisible cloak, and has walked into a fractured household that is, over the death of a loved one, tearing itself apart.
I really like how the island encapsulates the feeling of being trapped; the protagonist is unable to escape from the past and is constantly toiling with the effects of wanting to build a life for himself away from his alcoholic, and at times abusive, father.
Tilly Keeper of "You" makes an appearance, and proves that she can take on a variety of roles. She is rather different here than her Lady Phoebe character on the popular Netflix series.
In short, this film is a difficult watch, but for all the right reasons, and it's certainly one that deserves the time. It also doesn't outstay it's welcome, with a tight 1 hr 20 mins running time.
It's clearly produced on a budget, but credit to this creative and innovative team for making it work. Can't wait to see more from this cast and crew!
I really like how the island encapsulates the feeling of being trapped; the protagonist is unable to escape from the past and is constantly toiling with the effects of wanting to build a life for himself away from his alcoholic, and at times abusive, father.
Tilly Keeper of "You" makes an appearance, and proves that she can take on a variety of roles. She is rather different here than her Lady Phoebe character on the popular Netflix series.
In short, this film is a difficult watch, but for all the right reasons, and it's certainly one that deserves the time. It also doesn't outstay it's welcome, with a tight 1 hr 20 mins running time.
It's clearly produced on a budget, but credit to this creative and innovative team for making it work. Can't wait to see more from this cast and crew!
Unique story with overly convincing performances
benbhunter10 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Unsure what I just watched, and yet it's perfect. It's not like any other film. There was only about 8 of us in the cinema but we all came out with our own version of the story. It's cleverly layered and perfect for a second watch.
Murray mcarthur is fantastic as a washed up father, and shows the complexities of a father-son relationship in a refreshing way. He shows how anger and disagreement can be centred in love and a fractious past. I haven't seen my dad since my mums funeral, we call, but the lacking mention of the mum between the two in the film is heartbreakingly relatable. Films like this and aftersun are starting to feel more real than real life in their presentations. Cameron ashplant is wonderfull in this. We go on the journey with him and it is hard to believe he's not genuinely thinking what he is saying, there is an honest conviction in every word and subtle expression. He definitely has a strong future as a front man in British dramas. Beautifully done. Tilly Keeper also gives a very strong performance central to giving Alex a purpose. The pair capture the real awkwardness of departure, how it feels in real life, not in movies. They have a real chemistry on screen. Keeper has shown a different character to her in eastenders and that she can do the bigger serious roles. What a journey the whole film is. Visually stunning, with thought provoking dialogue and a great score by Peter Wood. And again like afterun, the use of memory and thought is great. One to watch and revisit again. I did feel the ending was sudden. Maybe revisiting what we had already seen could have given us a bolder close, wrapping up the clever nuances. But just something small with the editing and direction there. It is a beautifully unique film.
Murray mcarthur is fantastic as a washed up father, and shows the complexities of a father-son relationship in a refreshing way. He shows how anger and disagreement can be centred in love and a fractious past. I haven't seen my dad since my mums funeral, we call, but the lacking mention of the mum between the two in the film is heartbreakingly relatable. Films like this and aftersun are starting to feel more real than real life in their presentations. Cameron ashplant is wonderfull in this. We go on the journey with him and it is hard to believe he's not genuinely thinking what he is saying, there is an honest conviction in every word and subtle expression. He definitely has a strong future as a front man in British dramas. Beautifully done. Tilly Keeper also gives a very strong performance central to giving Alex a purpose. The pair capture the real awkwardness of departure, how it feels in real life, not in movies. They have a real chemistry on screen. Keeper has shown a different character to her in eastenders and that she can do the bigger serious roles. What a journey the whole film is. Visually stunning, with thought provoking dialogue and a great score by Peter Wood. And again like afterun, the use of memory and thought is great. One to watch and revisit again. I did feel the ending was sudden. Maybe revisiting what we had already seen could have given us a bolder close, wrapping up the clever nuances. But just something small with the editing and direction there. It is a beautifully unique film.
Amazingly written and produced film.
dalziel-147735 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
An excellently wrote film, twists and turns throughout, a real cliff hanger. Fantastic acting, research of of character and portrayal of characters and the life experiences feeding through to this film. The movie is well acted, executed production and I look forward to see it's further success. The writing was so well thought and clever that I came away with two possible conclusions, thus I had to see it again to seive through the detail and clues. Any movie that makes you want to go back is nothing short of a success!
The casting for this film was excellent, each actor poured their own life experience into their roles which made the story very raw, believable and relatable.
I would recommend this film highly.
The casting for this film was excellent, each actor poured their own life experience into their roles which made the story very raw, believable and relatable.
I would recommend this film highly.
A dark, thrilling narrative that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
ashplantbrandon8 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This is a psychological thriller that, at its heart, is a journey of torment between a father and son as their relationship breaks down under the pressure of the loss of wife/mother from their lives, and the separate views for the future that neither of them share.
The film takes several turns and twists as the protagonist (Alex) uncovers the details behind an 'accident' that, along with his different outlook on life and his fathers traditional industry-based job, contributes to the feuding and rapturous breakdown between the pair.
Casting did an excellent job here; each actor has been carefully chosen for the character that they portray. The chemistry between 'Dad; and 'Alex' hits the right notes at every turn. Murray McArthur perfectly captures an alcoholic, crushed father that in the midst of grieving his dead wife, is outraged at his son who yearns to move to the City - he feels almost abandoned and betrayed by his son. Cameron embodies a young man in search of a life of his own - one that is different to the vision his father had. He struggles to communicate his reasons for wanting to leave to his father that, under the pressure, continues to crack and cave into a drunken state. Emotional performances from Tilly Keeper and Brian Webster, too.
The location is perfect, with the island serving as a character in the story as much as any other. The isolation and loneliness of the island adds to the state of mind of the protagonist and his outlook on life.
A fantastic film that keeps you thinking until the end. A very dark twist!
The film takes several turns and twists as the protagonist (Alex) uncovers the details behind an 'accident' that, along with his different outlook on life and his fathers traditional industry-based job, contributes to the feuding and rapturous breakdown between the pair.
Casting did an excellent job here; each actor has been carefully chosen for the character that they portray. The chemistry between 'Dad; and 'Alex' hits the right notes at every turn. Murray McArthur perfectly captures an alcoholic, crushed father that in the midst of grieving his dead wife, is outraged at his son who yearns to move to the City - he feels almost abandoned and betrayed by his son. Cameron embodies a young man in search of a life of his own - one that is different to the vision his father had. He struggles to communicate his reasons for wanting to leave to his father that, under the pressure, continues to crack and cave into a drunken state. Emotional performances from Tilly Keeper and Brian Webster, too.
The location is perfect, with the island serving as a character in the story as much as any other. The isolation and loneliness of the island adds to the state of mind of the protagonist and his outlook on life.
A fantastic film that keeps you thinking until the end. A very dark twist!
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