Rachel Weisz was originally cast in this story but pulled out due to scheduling conflicts’ luckily for her. Apparently the script was largely improvised, which seems unfair on the actors involved (who are clearly talented) as they are working with a director whose default setting seems to be drippy’.
Yes, it’s yet another gloomy indie tale, with three people who have so much going for them but are content to spend their lives moaning surrounded by glorious scenery and countryside. It’s set up as an indie Jules Et Jim, with three characters discussing life and love on a remote island, but the details are as thin as the plot.
Jack (Mark Duplass) and Iris (Emily Blunt) have a heart-to-heart get ready for them, there are lots in this movie after a one-year party to celebrate Jack’s dead brother. Iris tells Jack to get some headspace’ there’s a lot of that too at her family’s gorgeous cottage on an island.
Jack mounts his bike and sets off, only to discover the cottage is not empty Iris’ lesbian sister Hannah (Dewitt) is also there getting some, er, headspace. Of course they sleep together, even though she is gay and he is in love with Iris, who then turns up.
There follows endless shots of the various three character staring out to sea, walking through forests and discussing babies and trees. Hannah even has the gall to come out with a trapped bird simile, in a speech a sixth-former would be embarrassed about sharing. The fact it all ends with a group hug is no surprise, but no less irritating for that.
Emily Blunt’s hilarious accent half Harrow, half New York is explained away with a quick speech, but her character still consists of mooning out of various windows and snuggling under blankets. Rosemarie Dewitt is a cipher, while Mark Duplass does his best to be engaging with a paper-thin character.
Overall verdict: If Heat magazine made films they would probably look and sound like this. Painful.
Special Features:
Trailer
Cast and crew commentaries
Reviewer: Tim Isaac