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The Island (2024) by Fernando Trueba: A Gloomy Thriller Lost at Sea

  • Writer: dailyentertainment95
    dailyentertainment95
  • Aug 1
  • 6 min read

Short Summary: An Ill-Fated Romance A young woman named Álex travels to a beautiful Greek island to work at a seaside restaurant. She is immediately drawn to the enigmatic American manager, Max. Their intense romance is a whirlwind of passion and red flags, as Álex becomes increasingly entangled in a web of lies and danger, eventually realizing the man she loves is a monster hiding a dark and dangerous past.

Detailed Summary: A Summer Job Turns into a Fight for Survival

  • Álex arrives late for a job interview at a high-end seaside restaurant on a picturesque Greek island. Although the position she wanted has been filled, the mysterious and charismatic owner, Max, offers her a different role.

  • Despite Max being aloof and showing many red flags, Álex is captivated by him. She relentlessly pursues a relationship, and they soon begin an intense, passionate romance.

  • As their relationship develops, Álex begins to uncover unsettling clues about Max's past. She enlists the help of a coworker, Chico, to dig deeper.

  • The film slowly builds tension as Álex uncovers a dark history of secrets and violence, eventually realizing she has fallen for a man with a dangerous past. The idyllic island setting becomes a beautiful and isolated prison as Álex's struggle for survival begins.

Director's Vision: Trading Romance for Despair

  • Fernando Trueba's vision for The Island was to create a modern-day romantic thriller in the tradition of classic film noir. He aimed to contrast the idyllic beauty of the Greek island with the dark, psychological undercurrents of the central romance.

  • The film, originally titled Haunted Heart, was intended to be a suspenseful story of love and obsession. Trueba wanted to capture the seductive allure of a troubled man and the dangerous consequences of ignoring one's instincts.

  • Trueba and co-writer Rylend Grant wrote the script to create a sense of mounting dread. The beautiful, sunny location is meant to create a false sense of security, which is slowly eroded as the central character's world darkens.

  • The director’s approach was to give a classic thriller a contemporary feel. However, some critics note that the film's execution falls short of this vision, with a script that is often too slow and predictable to create genuine suspense.

Themes: The Dark Side of Romance

  • The Seduction of Danger: A core theme of the film is the dangerous allure of a mysterious and brooding partner. Álex is drawn to Max's enigmatic nature, despite all the clear signs that he is not a good person. The film explores the psychological reasons why someone might be drawn to a man with a dark past.

  • The Illusion of Paradise: The film uses the Greek island as a character in itself. The beautiful scenery creates a sense of a perfect paradise, which is ultimately a trap. The gorgeous setting is a stark contrast to the dark and dangerous events that unfold.

  • Betrayal and Deception: As Álex delves deeper into Max's past, the film's theme of deception comes to the forefront. Max's entire persona is a lie, and the film examines the emotional and physical betrayal Álex experiences as she uncovers the truth.

  • Survival vs. Romance: The film eventually pivots from a romantic thriller to a story of survival. Álex's journey is a harrowing tale of her struggle to escape from the man she once loved, highlighting the ultimate price of ignoring one's intuition.

Key Success Factors: Visuals, But Not Much Else

  • Stunning Cinematography: The film is visually beautiful, showcasing the picturesque scenery of the Greek island of Trikeri. The cinematography, a key success factor, captures a serene and beautiful atmosphere, which effectively contrasts with the dark events.

  • Casting: The casting of Matt Dillon and Aida Folch is a key factor in the film's appeal. Both actors have a natural screen presence, which helps to carry the film despite the script's weaknesses.

  • A Familiar but Intriguing Premise: The film's premise of a young woman falling for a man with a dark past is a classic thriller trope that is immediately engaging. It creates a sense of familiarity that can draw in a wide audience.

Awards & Nominations: A Prestigious Venice Debut

"The Island" premiered at a major international film festival, immediately garnering attention for its creative team and the emotional depth of its story.

  • 81st Venice International Film Festival (2024):

    • Official Selection, Venice Days (Giornate degli Autori). This independent, parallel section of the Venice Film Festival is curated by the Italian association of film authors and focuses on innovative and high-quality cinema.

Summary: "The Island" made its world premiere in the Venice Days section of the 81st Venice International Film Festival, positioning it as a significant new film from a celebrated director.

Critics Reception: Predictable and Underwhelming

  • Entertainment Focus: This review described The Island as a "gloomy thriller that outstays its welcome." The critic noted that while the cinematography was superb, the film was "a meandering mess that never truly delivers on any front" and that its "twists" were obvious. The review was highly critical of the two-dimensional characters and the film's lack of originality.

  • The Guardian: This review was also negative, titling its piece "Matt Dillon's moody clarinetting sums up exotic Greek idyll thriller." The critic called the film "ropey," saying it wasn't "pulpy enough for the midnight movie crowd, nor classy enough for the arthouse." The review felt the script was "flimsy" and that the film took too long to get to its climax, leaving the audience "relieved rather than glad about the outcome."

Overall Summary: The critical reception for The Island is overwhelmingly negative. Critics panned the film for its predictable plot, underdeveloped characters, and a slow, drawn-out pace that fails to create a sense of tension. The only consistent praise was for the film's beautiful cinematography.

Reviews: A Misfire with a Pretty View

  • Flickering Myth: This review highlighted the film's premise, noting that Matt Dillon is "hiding a dark past." The review focused on the film's trailer and its potential as a psychological thriller but did not offer a full review of the final product.

  • Movie Nation: This review was a preview of the film, noting that it was a "romantic thriller" and that the director was best known for Belle Époque. The review suggested that the film's original title, Haunted Heart, was a better fit for the story.

Overall Summary: Most of the online chatter and reviews for The Island are overwhelmingly negative. Many critics felt the film was a letdown, with a predictable and uninspired plot. The film's beautiful scenery was often the only positive point mentioned.

Release date on streaming: The film was released on digital platforms on September 23, 2024.

Theatrical Release: Not Widely Released The Island was not widely released in theaters. It had a VOD/Digital release in September 2024.

Why to watch this movie: A Beautiful Location and a Familiar Trope

  • Beautiful Scenery: If you want to see a film with gorgeous Greek island scenery, The Island delivers on that front. The beautiful visuals provide a pleasant backdrop, even if the story is lacking.

  • A Classic Thriller Premise: If you enjoy the classic "woman falls for a man with a dark past" thriller, you might find some enjoyment in seeing a modern take on the genre, even if it's a flawed one.

  • A Matt Dillon Performance: Fans of Matt Dillon may want to see his performance as the enigmatic Max, a role that harkens back to the classic Hollywood "bad boy" characters.

Movie Trend: The Digital-First Thriller The Island is part of a trend of films, particularly in the thriller and horror genres, that are being released directly to digital platforms without a significant theatrical run. These films often rely on a well-known cast and a familiar premise to attract an audience on streaming and VOD services.

Social Trend: The Dangers of "Red Flags" The film taps into the social trend of modern dating and relationship dynamics, particularly the conversation around "red flags." The character of Álex ignores numerous warning signs about Max, and the film serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of being "blinded by feelings" and the importance of trusting one's intuition.

Final Verdict: A Visually Striking but Ultimately Predictable Thriller The Island is a film that fails to live up to its potential. While it boasts beautiful scenery and an intriguing premise, the film's predictable script and slow pacing make it a lackluster thriller. It's a prime example of a film where the destination is obvious and the journey is uneventful. For viewers who prioritize visuals over substance, it might be a passable watch. However, for those seeking a tense and original story, The Island is a disappointing and forgettable experience.


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